Weather
The Best Time To Go To Vegas: Weather And Other Travel Tips
If you’ve never been before, you might be asking when is the best time to go to Vegas? Luckily, with more than 300 sunny days per year, almost any time is a great time to visit Sin City.
Of course some seasons are colder than others, and some months are downright sweltering, but there’s really no such thing as a season for a trip to Vegas.
When you go will depend a lot on your tolerance for heat or cold, which activities and events you’re interested in, and what your budget is.
With this guide, you’ll learn about Las Vegas weather in general and about which months are best suited to your needs.
Read on to see when you should visit Las Vegas.
General Las Vegas Weather
Due to its location in the Mojave Desert, Las Vegas’ weather is pretty much what you’d expect—hot, dry, and mostly clear. Throughout the course of the year, temperatures vary between 38°F to 105°F (3°C to 40°C) but rarely dip below 30°F (-1°C) or above 111°F (43°C).
Keep reading for more specifics about each season’s weather.
Summer Weather
Summer in Las Vegas is sweltering so plan on spending as much time near water as possible.
Not surprisingly, the hot season (defined here between June 3 and September 16) is sweltering. Average daily high temperatures are 95°F (35°C) and above. Based on yearly averages, July 13 is the hottest day of the year, with an average high of 105°F (40°C) and a low of 80°F (26°C).
While summer temperatures in Las Vegas are no joke (make sure to wear sunscreen and drink lots of water!), most visitors agree that the dry climate makes the heat much more bearable.
Commonly referred to as dry heat, the heat you’ll experience in Las Vegas is best compared to the heat you feel when opening the oven or sitting in a sauna. It’s hot—no doubt—but you won’t be a sweaty mess at the end of the day.
Besides the dry heat, you can also expect clear skies when visiting Las Vegas in the summer. While the “clear season” technically starts around May 12, it spans the entire summer and lasts until November 1. Statistically speaking, June 21 is the clearest day of the year. On this day, the probability of getting a clear, mostly clear, or partially cloudy sky is about 88%.
On a similar note, you’ll rarely have to worry about rain while in Vegas, especially during the summer. The drier season lasts from March 22 to July 11. During this 3.5-month period, the chances of experiencing a “wet day” (defined as a day with at least 0.04 inches of liquid precipitation) are 10% or less.
The smallest chance of a wet day falls on June 13, with a 1% chance of precipitation. You’ll run into a bit more rainfall in late July and August, but most of these showers are short-lived.
What’s It Like To Visit In Summer?
Unlike a lot of destinations, summer is the low season in Las Vegas, mostly because of the sizzling temperatures and the lack of big events.
As a result, this is when you’re most likely to find the shortest lines and the best discounts (midweek hotel rates are especially low in the summer months). That’s great news if you want to experience all Vegas has to offer without emptying your wallet.
While summer is a great time to score travel deals, it also means you might have to modify your travel expectations. For example, strolling The Strip and sightseeing are pretty much out of the question unless you plan to get up early or stay out late. Instead, expect to spend most
of your time lounging by the pool or holed up in air-conditioned casinos and restaurants.
Key Events*:
World Series of Poker (May-June)
Fall Weather
Fall in Las Vegas is warm and sunny.
Fall temperatures tend to be much milder than summer temperatures, with September and October averages ranging between 53°F (11°C) and 89°F (31°C). If you visit in November, be prepared for some winter chill, with daytime highs in the 60s.
As in the summer, fall days are sunny, mostly sunny or partially cloudy most of the time. In September, expect to see the sun about 86% of the time; in October, about 80% of the time.
Unsurprisingly, the chances of running into a rainy day in the fall are low as well. In September, there’s about a 6% chance of rain on any given day. In October, this probability falls to 4%. And in November, your chances of seeing precipitation are about 5%.
What’s It Like To Visit In Fall?
Thanks to the mild temperatures and the relatively moderate amount of tourists, fall is one of the best times to go to Vegas. This season is one of the best for doing activities like sightseeing or taking a day trip out of the city. Early September to mid-October tends to be the best period for these types of outings.
Hotel prices tend to be reasonable during this season. That being said, fall is a popular time for conventions, so it’s best to verify that you’re not traveling when there’s a big event in town. This will help you keep your costs down and avoid big crowds. A mid-week stay is your best bet to score cheaper hotel rates.
It’s also worth noting that Las Vegas’ popularity goes up as winter nears, so if you’re planning a trip in late November, consider booking a few weeks in advance to ensure availability.
Key Events*:
Las Vegas Greek Food Festival (September)
iHeartRadio Music Festival (September)
Life is Beautiful Music & Art Festival (September)
Las Vegas BikeFest (October)
Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon (November)
Winter Weather
Las Vegas winters are mild and sunny.
The cool season in Las Vegas lasts about three months, from November 19 to February 24. Average daily temperatures range from the high 30s to the low 60s. December 26 is the coldest day of the year on average, with low temperatures around 38°F (3°C) and highs around 56°F (13°C)
November 1 is the start of the cloudier part of the year, with February 23 being the cloudiest day of the year. On this day, the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy 39% of the time.
Winter also has the wettest weather in Las Vegas. Still, the possibility of rain remains quite low, with a 7% chance in December, a 9% chance in January, and a peak of 13% at the end of February.
What’s It Like To Visit In Winter?
Cooler weather and abundant holiday parties make winter one of the best times to go to Vegas. New Year’s Eve is a particularly busy time, so make flight and hotel reservations at least a month in advance.
Because winter is such a popular time to visit, expect to pay more for your hotels and flights, especially if you’re traveling during a major holiday. While a winter trip to Vegas won’t be the easiest on your wallet, it’s still worth experiencing at least once.
For example, you can admire the magnificent Christmas lights at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Garden or take a selfie in front of ARIA Resort & Casino’s life-size gingerbread house. During New Year’s, the Strip is closed to cars and becomes a massive block party, culminating with a huge fireworks display.
Key Events*:
Las Vegas Bowl (December)
New Year's Eve (December)
Spring Weather
Spring’s comfortable temperatures and sunny weather attract lots of tourists.
Spring, like the fall, means comfortable temperatures. On average, spring temperatures hover in the 70s and 80s Fahrenheit (20s Celsius), however temperatures can dip below 60°F (15°C) or shoot up above 90°F (32°C).
May 12 is the start of the clearer part of the year, with about 75% of days in May being clear, mostly clear, or partially cloudy.
As with other seasons, the chance of precipitation is low in the spring. In April, there’s about a 4% probability of catching a rainy day. In May, that probability drops to 2%.
What’s It Like To Visit In Spring?
Thanks to the beautiful weather, lack of huge crowds, and variety of big events, Spring is one of the best times to visit Vegas. That being said, there is an uptick in visitors during Spring Break (early March to mid-April) and during March Madness (mid-March to early April).
Be sure to pack a few light layers, as temperatures drop significantly once the sun goes down. March is the unofficial start to pool season in Las Vegas, so be sure to pack a swimsuit if you plan to lounge poolside.
Key Events:
NASCAR Weekend (March)
Viva Las Vegas (April)
Academy of Country Music Awards (April)
Vegas Uncork'd (April-May)
Billboard Music Awards (May)
When Is The Best Time To Go To Vegas?
That depends on a lot of factors—whether you’re looking for the best weather, the craziest events, or the best prices. Ultimately when you choose to go is a personal preference.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that, no matter the weather, the events, or the prices, as long as you do your research, you’re basically guaranteed to have a great time when you travel to Las Vegas.
So spend some time thinking about what you want out of your Las Vegas vacation, check out our website, and start planning today!
*The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving situation. As a result, some events listed may be rescheduled or cancelled in 2021. Please check all websites to confirm dates and availability.
