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SunnyDays

ERA5 almanac comparison — 8 years of real data

Santa Barbara vs Scottsdale Desert Ridge: weather in March

Scottsdale Desert Ridge edges out Santa Barbara for sun in March: 46% clear historically versus 19% (8-year ERA5 average, a 27-point gap). Santa Barbara also sees measurably more rain than Scottsdale Desert Ridge this month (32% vs 16% of days). Both are viable — Scottsdale Desert Ridge is the safer bet.

What you are reading: 8-year historical averages, not a forecast. Either destination can still surprise you this specific March. For this week’s actual forecast, each destination links to its live page below.

Santa Barbara

CA

Clear days, March
19%
Sample size
n=248 days
Avg high
67°F
Early March (1st–15th)
9%
Late March (16th–end)
28%
Rain frequency
32% of days
See this week’s live forecast →

Scottsdale Desert Ridge

AZ

Clear days, March
46%
Sample size
n=248 days
Avg high
74°F
Early March (1st–15th)
37%
Late March (16th–end)
55%
Rain frequency
16% of days

Compare Santa Barbara vs Scottsdale Desert Ridge 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.