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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
In Las Vegas, the largest city of Nevada, the climate is
desert, mild in winter but with cold nights, and very hot in summer. The city is located in the Mojave Desert, the westernmost of the American deserts, in the same area where the Death Valley is located, compared to which, however, it is less hot because of altitude.
In fact, the city is not located at sea level: in the vast metropolitan area, which includes cities such as Henderson, Spring Valley and Boulder City, the altitude ranges from 500 to 900 meters (1,600 to 3,000 feet); the center of Las Vegas is at 610 meters (2,000 feet) above sea level.
The average
temperature ranges from 9 °C (48 °F) in December (which is often the coldest month in the western United States) to 34 °C (93 °F) in July.
Rainfall is very scarce, in fact, it amounts to only 105 millimeters (4.1 inches) per year. The rains, though rare, are more common in winter, when they are caused by sporadic weather disturbances, and in summer, when they occur in the form of showers.
Winter, from December to February, is sunny and mild during the day, while nights are cold, with minimum temperatures often around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F). The rains are very rare.
Every now and then,
brief cold periods can occur, with maximum temperatures remaining around 7/10 °C (45/50 °F) and sometimes even below 5 °C (41 °F).
Snowfalls are very rare: they generally occur in the mountains around the city, above 1,000 meters (3,300 feet). Sometimes, however, snow can fall even in the city, as happened in December 2008. Intense frosts are rare, although in January 1937 and in January 1963, the temperature dropped to -13 °C (9 °F).
Spring, from March to May, is sunny and gradually warmer; at night it can still be cold in March, and more rarely in April. During some years, there can be the first scorching days already in May, with peaks around 40 °C (104 °F).
Summer, from June to September, is remarkably hot, with blazing sunshine, but also with a dry wind blowing in gusts.
In June, air humidity is very low, often below 10% during the day. In July, it remains low but it increases a bit, especially at certain times, when a moist wind blows from the Gulf of California, which may also cause showers and thunderstorms, usually of short duration. Sometimes, there can even be some days when the air is a little sultry. Generally, however, the sun shines, and the temperature goes easily above 40 °C (104 °F), especially in July and August.
Heat waves can be remarkable: for example, in July 2005, the maximum temperature exceeded 45 °C (113 °F) for 8 days in a row, with a peak of 47 °C (117 °F).
Autumn, in October and November, is sunny and warm at first, and then gradually becomes milder. In November, nights begin to be a bit cold.
The amount of
sunshine in Las Vegas is great all year round: the sky is almost always clear, and with 3,800 hours of sunshine per year, it is one of the sunniest cities in the world.
To the east of the city,
Lake Mead, created in 1935 by the construction of the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, is located at 370 meters (1,200 feet) above sea level, and in summer it's very hot. In Callville Bay, the average maximum temperature is 43 °C (109 °F) in July and 42 °C (108 °F) in August, but in the worst moments it can reach 50 °C (122 °F).
To the north-west of the city, the
Spring Mountains, whose highest point is Charleston Peak, 3,633 meters (11,919 feet) high, receive heavy snowfalls in winter and are equipped with ski lifts.
In
Mount Charleston, at 2,300 meters (7,500 ft) in a valley between the mountains, 2 and a half meters (8 feet) of snow fall per year on average. In summer, it can get hot in these mountains even above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet), at least during the day. Sunshine prevails, although thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
Best Time
The
best times to visit Las Vegas are spring and autumn, in order to avoid the summer heat, as well as the winter cold (though it's usually not intense), and in particular, from mid-March to mid-April, and from mid-October to mid-November.
If you want to go on excursions to the hottest desert areas, like the Death Valley, or if you want to go skiing in the Spring Mountains, you can instead choose the period from November to March.
Las Vegas - Climate data
In Las Vegas, the
average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of
9 °C, that of the warmest month (July) is of
34 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
Las Vegas - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | 4.7 | 14.7 | 9.7 |
|---|
| February | 6.7 | 17.2 | 11.9 |
|---|
| March | 10.3 | 21.7 | 16 |
|---|
| April | 13.8 | 25.8 | 19.8 |
|---|
| May | 18.9 | 31.4 | 25.2 |
|---|
| June | 24.3 | 37.4 | 30.9 |
|---|
| July | 27.8 | 40.3 | 34 |
|---|
| August | 27 | 39.3 | 33.2 |
|---|
| September | 22.4 | 34.9 | 28.7 |
|---|
| October | 15.3 | 27.3 | 21.3 |
|---|
| November | 8.5 | 19.5 | 14 |
|---|
| December | 4.2 | 13.8 | 9 |
|---|
| Year | 15.4 | 27 | 21.15 |
|---|
amounts to
105 millimeters per year: it is therefore at a desert level. It ranges from
0 millimeters in the driest months (May, June) to
20 millimeters in the wettest one (February). Here is the average precipitation.
Las Vegas - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 15 | 3 |
|---|
| February | 20 | 4 |
|---|
| March | 10 | 3 |
|---|
| April | 5 | 2 |
|---|
| May | 0 | 1 |
|---|
| June | 0 | 0 |
|---|
| July | 10 | 2 |
|---|
| August | 10 | 2 |
|---|
| September | 10 | 2 |
|---|
| October | 10 | 2 |
|---|
| November | 10 | 2 |
|---|
| December | 10 | 3 |
|---|
| Year | 105 | 26 |
|---|
There are on average around 3825
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Las Vegas - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 8 | 245 |
|---|
| February | 8.5 | 245 |
|---|
| March | 10 | 315 |
|---|
| April | 11.5 | 345 |
|---|
| May | 12.5 | 390 |
|---|
| June | 13.5 | 400 |
|---|
| July | 12.5 | 390 |
|---|
| August | 12 | 370 |
|---|
| September | 11 | 335 |
|---|
| October | 10 | 305 |
|---|
| November | 8 | 245 |
|---|
| December | 7.5 | 235 |
|---|
| Year | 10.5 | 3825 |
|---|
Las Vegas - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
9.7 °C, with a minimum of
4.7 °C and a maximum of
14.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-7.8 °C in January 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
20.5 °C. However, it reached
23.9 °C in January 2003.
Precipitation amounts to
15 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 42%.
The average wind speed is of
10.1 kph.
February is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
11.9 °C, with a minimum of
6.7 °C and a maximum of
17.2 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
0.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-5 °C in February 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
23.5 °C. However, it reached
27.8 °C in February 2016.
Precipitation amounts to
20 mm, distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 80% of the time.
The average humidity is 38%.
The average wind speed is of
11.6 kph.
March is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
16 °C, with a minimum of
10.3 °C and a maximum of
21.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
3.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-0.6 °C in March 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29 °C. However, it reached
33.3 °C in March 2004.
Precipitation amounts to
10 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 85% of the time.
The average humidity is 31%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is of
13.9 kph.
April is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.8 °C, with a minimum of
13.8 °C and a maximum of
25.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
7 °C. However, it dropped to
3 °C in April 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
34 °C. However, it reached
37.2 °C in April 2000.
Precipitation amounts to only
5 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 11.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 88% of the time.
The average humidity is 23%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is of
16.2 kph.
May is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of
25.2 °C, with a minimum of
18.9 °C and a maximum of
31.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
11.5 °C. However, it dropped to
8 °C in May 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
38.5 °C. However, it reached
43 °C in May 2003.
Precipitation amounts to only
0 mm, so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 12.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 89% of the time.
The average humidity is 20%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is of
16 kph.
June is generally a very hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of
30.9 °C, with a minimum of
24.3 °C and a maximum of
37.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
17 °C. However, it dropped to
8.9 °C in June 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
43.5 °C. However, it reached
47.2 °C in June 2013.
Precipitation amounts to only
0 mm, so on average it never rains in the whole month.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 13.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 92% of the time.
The average humidity is 15%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is of
16.1 kph.
July, the hottest month of the year, is generally a scorchingly hot month. The average temperature is of
34 °C, with a minimum of
27.8 °C and a maximum of
40.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
22.5 °C. However, it dropped to
18.3 °C in July 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
45 °C. However, it reached
47.2 °C in July 2005.
Precipitation amounts to
10 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 12.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 88% of the time.
The average humidity is 20%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is of
14.1 kph.
August is generally a scorchingly hot month. The average temperature is of
33.2 °C, with a minimum of
27 °C and a maximum of
39.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
21.5 °C. However, it dropped to
18.3 °C in August 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
43.5 °C. However, it reached
45.6 °C in August 1993.
Precipitation amounts to
10 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 12 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 88% of the time.
The average humidity is 22%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is of
13.5 kph.
September is generally a very hot month. The average temperature is of
28.7 °C, with a minimum of
22.4 °C and a maximum of
34.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
16 °C. However, it dropped to
12.2 °C in September 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
40.5 °C. However, it reached
45.6 °C in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
10 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 90% of the time.
The average humidity is 22%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is of
12.2 kph.
October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
21.3 °C, with a minimum of
15.3 °C and a maximum of
27.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
8.5 °C. However, it dropped to
2.2 °C in October 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35 °C. However, it reached
38.3 °C in October 2015.
Precipitation amounts to
10 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 88% of the time.
The average humidity is 26%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is of
11.5 kph.
November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
14 °C, with a minimum of
8.5 °C and a maximum of
19.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
2 °C. However, it dropped to
-3.9 °C in November 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
27 °C. However, it reached
30 °C in November 2010.
Precipitation amounts to
10 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 81% of the time.
The average humidity is 32%. Hence, the air is normally dry.
The average wind speed is of
10.6 kph.
December, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
9 °C, with a minimum of
4.2 °C and a maximum of
13.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-7 °C in December 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
20 °C. However, it reached
23.9 °C in December 2014.
Precipitation amounts to
10 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 79% of the time.
The average humidity is 41%.
The average wind speed is of
10.2 kph.