The short answer: go in March, April, October or November. The NOAA 1991–2020 normals at Harry Reid International give those months average highs of 67°F to 81°F. Days at 100°F are near zero. July averages 104.5°F, and the airport hit its all-time record of 120°F on July 7, 2024.
| Month | Average high | Average low | Rain | Days at 100°F+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58.5°F | 40.5°F | 0.56 in | — |
| February | 62.9°F | 44.1°F | 0.80 in | — |
| March | 71.1°F | 50.5°F | 0.42 in | — |
| April | 78.5°F | 56.9°F | 0.20 in | — |
| May | 88.5°F | 66.1°F | 0.07 in | 2.8 |
| June | 99.4°F | 75.8°F | 0.04 in | 17.1 |
| July | 104.5°F | 82.0°F | 0.38 in | 25.8 |
| August | 102.8°F | 80.6°F | 0.32 in | 24.5 |
| September | 94.9°F | 72.4°F | 0.32 in | 7.9 |
| October | 81.2°F | 59.6°F | 0.32 in | 0.1 |
| November | 67.1°F | 47.3°F | 0.30 in | — |
| December | 56.9°F | 39.6°F | 0.45 in | — |
These are 30-year averages from the airport, which the National Weather Service's Las Vegas office uses as its official climate station.
The year in numbers
The airport averages 4.18 inches of rain a year. February is the wettest month, at 0.80 inches, and June the driest, at 0.04. There are 78 days a year at 100°F or above and 137 at 90°F or above. Only about 10 nights a year drop to 32°F or below.
The heat record is recent. The 120°F reading came on July 7, 2024. The week from July 6 to 12, 2024 is the longest run of highs at 115°F or more on record. Summer nights stay warm, too: the normal July low is 82°F, so the walk back from a late show is a warm one.
Flash floods in the monsoon
From July to September, monsoon storms can flood streets within minutes on a day that started clear. The Clark County Regional Flood Control District says 6 inches of moving water can take a car out of a driver's control, and a foot of water floats most cars.
Its advice is to stay out of washes, channels and detention basins even when they are dry. The National Weather Service's line is "Turn around, don't drown". If water covers the road ahead, turn back and wait.
Why the date matters for day trips
The weather changes what you can do outside the city more than on the Strip. At Valley of Fire, about 57 miles away, the White Domes Loop, the Fire Wave, Pinnacles Loop and several other trails close from May 15 to September 30 each year. The whole park closes to everyone, even on foot, from December 1 to 14.
Death Valley is about 119 miles west, and the Park Service says summer highs there can reach 130°F. Nights can stay as warm as 90 degrees. Its advice is blunt: do not hike the low valley when it is hot, and carry at least a gallon of water a day.
At Red Rock Canyon, 17 miles west, the Scenic Drive needs a timed-entry booking from October 1 to May 31, for entry between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. From June 1 to September 30, no booking is needed.
Who should not come in summer
Anyone who wants to hike, walk the 4.2-mile Strip by day or tour the desert parks should skip June to August. The normal high in those months is 99°F or more. A trip that is pool, shows and casinos works in any month.
Getting around in the heat is on Las Vegas without a car. The areas to book are on where to stay in Las Vegas, and the rest is on the Las Vegas guide.
The airport weather station, the Strip and the three desert parks whose dates depend on the heat.