ERA5 almanac comparison — 8 years of real data
Phoenix vs Sarasota: weather in December
Sarasota edges out Phoenix for sun in December: 31% clear historically versus 22% (8-year ERA5 average, a 9-point gap). Both are viable — Sarasota is the safer bet.
Phoenix
AZ
- Clear days, December
- 22%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 67°F
- Early December (1st–15th)
- 25%
- Late December (16th–end)
- 20%
- Rain frequency
- 13% of days
Sarasota
FL
- Clear days, December
- 31%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 72°F
- Early December (1st–15th)
- 36%
- Late December (16th–end)
- 27%
- Rain frequency
- 22% of days
Frequently asked
Is Phoenix or Sarasota warmer in December?
Sarasota runs warmer by day in December. Phoenix averages highs of 67°F (highs n=248 days); Sarasota averages highs of 72°F (highs n=248 days) (ERA5 2018–2025). Historical averages, not a forecast.
Does it rain more in Phoenix or Sarasota in December?
Days with measurable rain: Phoenix 13%, Sarasota 22% (n=248 and n=248 days). ERA5 2018–2025; historical, not a forecast.
Which is sunnier in December, Phoenix or Sarasota?
Sarasota edges out Phoenix for sun in December: 31% clear historically versus 22% (8-year ERA5 average, a 9-point gap). Both are viable — Sarasota is the safer bet.
Compare Phoenix vs Sarasota 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.