Thanks again for all the information "Vegas Triker"
It seems to me that, from all the advice I have received, Southern Arizona or Southern California are the most reliable places to go in winter for climbing. I've always wanted to climb Mount Lemmon anyway but, it seems, in winter , it is not possible to go to the top so, strictly speaking, I can't say I have climbed it even I get to the end of the line---that's a bit frustrating. It seems that some of the big climbs in S. Cal. such as Mount Baldy and Mount Palomar can be done in winter so I am leaning towards there.

Thanks again for the advice
Brendan