ERA5 almanac comparison — 8 years of real data
Santa Fe vs Scottsdale Desert Ridge: weather in May
Scottsdale Desert Ridge is the clear winner for sun in May: 92% of days historically clear versus just 41% in Santa Fe — a 51-point gap across 8 years of ERA5 data. Santa Fe also sees measurably more rain than Scottsdale Desert Ridge this month (19% vs 2% 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 May. For this
week’s actual forecast, each destination links to its live page below.
Santa Fe
NM
- Clear days, May
- 41%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 72°F
- Early May (1st–15th)
- 35%
- Late May (16th–end)
- 46%
- Rain frequency
- 19% of days
Scottsdale Desert Ridge
AZ
- Clear days, May
- 92%
- Sample size
- n=248 days
- Avg high
- 93°F
- Early May (1st–15th)
- 89%
- Late May (16th–end)
- 95%
- Rain frequency
- 2% of days
Compare Santa Fe 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.