Las Vegas Climate & Weather

As three of the coolest months of the year in the Las Vegas area, daytime temperatures in January through March average in the high 50s in January, mid-60s in February and high 60s Fahrenheit in March. It can dip into the 40s or below overnight, so if you'll be golfing, make sure to layer and expect chilly weather for morning tee times. January is the second-rainiest month in Las Vegas, but the average rainfall is only a half-inch.

By June, Las Vegas weather is definitively hot. While April is beautiful and in the high 70s, the temperature heats up quickly, averaging 88 in May and 100 degrees Fahrenheit in June. The heat is dry, though, so while it's hot and the sun can be punishing, it's not nearly as uncomfortable as a humid summer day in the south. Nights can cool down by up to 30 degrees, so be sure to bring a sweater or jacket for nighttime activities. Rain is negligible during these three months, averaging about 2/10ths of an inch.

July to September is the true heart of the heat in Las Vegas, with average temperatures over 100 degrees in July and August; that drops back down to the mid-90s in September. If you don't mind the brutal desert sun, it's a great time to find great golf deals. Overnight, you'll feel a little break, as temperatures drop back down to the mid-70s in July and August, and the mid-60s in September. July (.55 inches) and August (.45 inches) are two of the wettest months in Las Vegas, but the average rainfall is so small, you probably won't run into weather issues.

While October is truly one of the best golfing months in the area--temperatures average about 82 degrees--November (67 degrees) and December (58 degrees) are definitely sweater weather. It's a great time of year to visit Las Vegas as the golf courses are generally in great shape and the weather won't be a factor in deciding to play. Overnight temperatures usually drop between 20 and 30 degrees and there may be a chance of frost in December, when the overnight low is about 34 degrees. November is the wettest of these three months, with average rainfall at .45 inches.

Because Las Vegas is in the desert, it is subject to windy conditions throughout the year. The wind can kick up, seemingly without warning, on an otherwise beautiful day. Unfortunately, the wind does not always have a cooling effect--in fact, on a hot summer day, the wind seems to make the temperature feel even warmer. Wind gusts of up to 90 miles per hour have been recorded by the National Oceanographic Atmosphere Association in August and 82 miles per hour gusts were recorded in February.

It can snow in Las Vegas, and the biggest snowstorm to hit the area dumped nine inches of snow, effectively shutting the city down, on January 4 and 5, 1974. On August 20 and 21,1957, Las Vegas experienced a record rainfall of 2.59 inches.

As for record highs and lows, the hottest it's ever been in Las Vegas is 116 degrees (July 24, 1985) and the coldest is 8 degrees (Jan. 13, 1963).