ERA5 almanac comparison — 8 years of real data
Key West vs Palm Desert: weather in January
Essentially a tie in January: Key West is 27% clear historically, Palm Desert is 25% clear (8-year ERA5 average) — within the noise. Avg high 72°F vs 68°F. Pick based on flight time or price, not weather — the weather won't decide this one for you.
Key West
FL
- Clear days, January
- 27%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 72°F
- Early January (1st–15th)
- 32%
- Late January (16th–end)
- 23%
- Rain frequency
- 22% of days
Palm Desert
CA
- Clear days, January
- 25%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 68°F
- Early January (1st–15th)
- 17%
- Late January (16th–end)
- 32%
- Rain frequency
- 11% of days
Frequently asked
Is Key West or Palm Desert warmer in January?
Key West runs warmer by day in January. Key West averages highs of 72°F (highs n=248 days); Palm Desert averages highs of 68°F (highs n=248 days) (ERA5 2018–2025). Historical averages, not a forecast.
Does it rain more in Key West or Palm Desert in January?
Days with measurable rain: Key West 22%, Palm Desert 11% (n=248 and n=248 days). ERA5 2018–2025; historical, not a forecast.
Which is sunnier in January, Key West or Palm Desert?
Essentially a tie in January: Key West is 27% clear historically, Palm Desert is 25% clear (8-year ERA5 average) — within the noise. Avg high 72°F vs 68°F. Pick based on flight time or price, not weather — the weather won't decide this one for you.
Compare Key West vs Palm 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 forecast for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.