Weather in Las Vegas runs on desert rules: hot summers, mild winters, very little rain and strong sun in every season. The National Weather Service counts the city as the driest major metro area in the continental United States, with about 4.18 inches of precipitation in a normal year. The annual mean temperature sits near 70 degrees.
The desert also swings hard between day and night, and the built-up asphalt holds heat after dark. The official station at the airport runs 5 to 15 degrees warmer at night than the edges of the valley. Packing for this city means packing for two climates in one day.
The Weather In Las Vegas, In Plain Numbers
The newest 1991-2020 normals from the local forecast office put the mean temperature at 70.1 degrees, up from 69.3 in the older set. Annual precipitation landed at 4.18 inches, barely down from 4.19. June is the driest month at just 0.04 inches, while September averages 0.32 inches and November 0.30.
Those small numbers carry a big lesson. Rain rarely cancels a plan here, and heavy clouds are the exception rather than the rule. Sun protection matters more than an umbrella in every single month of the year.
Winter: Cold Nights, Almost No Snow
Winter days stay mild, but the coldest nights drop into the 20s, and readings in the teens show up only in the most severe cold outbreaks. The forecast office notes that snow falls in about two-thirds of winter seasons, yet it usually melts as it falls. Measurable snow at the official station arrives about once every four or five years.
The practical read: a warm coat for the evening, layers for the day, and no reason to plan around snow. Pool season pauses, but walking weather peaks. December through February suits visitors who want long outdoor days without heat stress.
Spring And Fall: The Swing Seasons
Spring and fall bring the best temperatures and the strongest wind. The weather service says winds over 50 mph are infrequent but strike mainly in these shoulder seasons, with strong wind events possible from late September into early June. Gusts can kick dust across open lots and swirl around resort pools.
March through May and September through November hold the most comfortable afternoons for the Strip and for downtown walking. Shade-adjacent patios fill first in these months, so reservations matter more than forecasts.
Summer: Heat, Then Monsoon Storms
Summer in Las Vegas is the furnace season. The monsoon typically runs July and August and wanes by September, adding humidity, storm clouds and brief downpours to the heat. A single cell can wet the whole boulevard and dry it again within the hour. For related coverage, see The Las Vegas Sphere: What Is Inside The Orb.
Early mornings and late evenings are the calm window for outdoor walking in peak summer. The mountains around the valley rise 2,000 to 10,000 feet above the floor, and Mount Charleston reaches 11,918 feet, so cooler air sits a short drive away.
A Month By Month Read
The weather in Las Vegas, month by month, falls into a clean pattern. January and February bring the coldest nights and the thinnest crowds. March through May warm fast and stay windy. June is dry and bright, July and August stack heat on monsoon moisture, September calms down, and October through December deliver the steadiest outdoor conditions of the year.
The valley spreads over roughly 600 square miles, and the airport station sits about 7 miles south of downtown, so one forecast covers the city well. Downtown and the Strip run a touch warmer than the edges after dark.
Conclusion: Picking The Right Month
Weather in Las Vegas rewards two windows: March through early May and October through mid-November, when warmth and wind balance out. The concrete tip: book those shoulder months for walking-heavy plans, keep July and August for pools and indoor shows, and stash a layer for any evening from October to April, because desert nights drop fast after sunset.
