September 22nd marks the official start of autumn, and in many parts of the country that means throwing on a sweatshirt at night, a kaleidoscope of falling leaves, and even fires in the fireplace.
(Not to mention the inevitable Pumpkin Spice Latte season!)
But if you’re from Northern California, the Bay Area, or even the Northeast, the fall may be your favorite season. Either way, you’re probably used to seeing the seasons change. But if you’re moving to Las Vegas, Southern Nevada, or just coming for vacation, what can you expect?
Climate, weather and seasons in Las Vegas:
Many of us who have only been to Las Vegas for vacation solely think of the weather as “hot or hotter,” with nearly year-round “swimming pool weather.”
It’s almost a joke among Las Vegas residents because the weather is usually warm and sunny, leading struggling T.V. weatherman to come up with something notable to report.
But Southern Nevada and the Las Vegas Valley area do have their own unique climate and weather conditions with some variation.
In fact, Las Vegas is assigned the Köppen climate classification, which means lengthy, thermometer-busting summers and shorter, temperate winters. Las Vegas temperatures are somewhat tropical, but the lack of humidity and rainfall and desert surroundings lead don’t fit in that range.
Geographically, Las Vegas and its surrounding valley sit in the Mojave Valley, surrounded by mountain ranges on all sides. More than just providing natural beauty and elevation, these mountain peaks act as natural barriers, inhibiting the stream of moisture that otherwise would roll into the Las Vegas Valley, making it far more arid.
Here are some more highlights about weather and climate in Las Vegas:
Las Vegas enjoys an average of 310 days of sunshine each year, or about 85% of the year! For reference, the U.S. average is only about 205 days of sun each year.
The average daily temperature in Las Vegas is a high of 105°F during the hottest summer periods.
But average lows in the winter sink to a brisk 38°F. However, each day can bring variations of 25 to 30 °F difference.
Rainfall is minimal in Las Vegas, with an annual average of only 4.2″. and throughout the entire year, it usually only rains 26 days in the Las Vegas Valley, making it one of the most arid and driest places in the United States or North America. (For reference, the U.S. average is 38 inches of rain per year!)
When it does rain heavily in Las Vegas, it can create issues like flash floods, as the basin floor of the Mojave Desert is prone.
And if you’re moving from California to Las Vegas and think you’re getting away from earthquake risks, think again. In fact, Nevada is one of the most seismically active states in the entire U.S., with earthquakes common, although usually on a small scale.
Of course, visitors and tourists visit Las Vegas year-round, thanks to its status as the Entertainment Capital of the World. However, the best time to visit Las Vegas may be spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) when temperatures are moderate, and nights are cool but not near-zero temps.
Conversely, the worst time to visit Las Vegas is probably in the middle of the summer (June to August), when the heat ranges from highs of 110°F to lows of still-cooking 90°F. There’s little respite from the heat outdoors in Las Vegas during those months!
December is the “wettest” month in Las Vegas, with an average relative humidity of 45% and rain only about 0.5” of rainfall every three days.
In summary, Las Vegas is a fantastic place to live for weather and climate most of the year, with cooler nights, mild daily temps, and dry air. Only in summer is it way too hot for comfort, but Las Vegas residents learn to exercise or go outdoors early in the morning or in the evening, and enjoy their swimming pool during those months.
So, I can’t promise you autumn foliage to rival the east coast or California foothills, but I am happy to report that Las Vegas has distinct seasons, so you’ll enjoy a respite from the heat and can wear your sweatshirt all winter!