ERA5 almanac comparison — 8 years of real data
Houston vs Palm Springs Desert: weather in October
Palm Springs Desert is the clear winner for sun in October: 95% of days historically clear versus just 44% in Houston — a 51-point gap across 8 years of ERA5 data. Houston also sees measurably more rain than Palm Springs Desert this month (35% vs 3% of days). This isn't close.
What you are reading: 8-year historical averages, not a forecast.
Either destination can still surprise you this specific October. For this
week’s actual forecast, each destination links to its live page below.
Houston
TX
- Clear days, October
- 44%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 81°F
- Early October (1st–15th)
- 53%
- Late October (16th–end)
- 35%
- Rain frequency
- 35% of days
Palm Springs Desert
CA
- Clear days, October
- 95%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 91°F
- Early October (1st–15th)
- 92%
- Late October (16th–end)
- 97%
- Rain frequency
- 3% of days
Compare Houston vs Palm Springs Desert in another month
All percentages are historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 8 full years (2018–2025). “Clear” means avg high ≥ 72 °F, precipitation < 1 mm, and a non-precipitation weather code. This is history, not a forecast. The live 7-day outlook for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.