| Most people know that Las Vegas is in a wide, | | | | Winter is another story altogether. To be sure, |
| fertile valley (which is what "Las Vegas" means in | | | | the average daily highs can reach the 50's and |
| Spanish), and that it is surrounded by the Mojave | | | | 60's - a comfortable range for most people. A |
| Desert. This leads people to think that it can get | | | | light sweater or jacket will be all you might need. |
| very hot in Las Vegas, and they're right! What | | | | After sundown, however, the dry desert air can |
| many may not appreciate is that in winter it can | | | | lose all the day's heat in a matter of minutes. |
| also get very cold in Las Vegas - as it can in | | | | Snow is very rare, but each winter brings a few |
| almost any desert. This article will help you decide | | | | frosts. Even if it doesn't freeze all that much, |
| what to pack for your Las Vegas vacation, | | | | average lows are in the high 30's and low 40's |
| according to the time of the year. | | | | during winter. As a result, many resorts close |
| Spring and fall have the most moderate climates, | | | | their pools when it gets cold. If you plan to come |
| when daily highs are in the low 80's or high 70's. In | | | | during winter and want to swim, call ahead to |
| May it begins to heat up, with days averaging | | | | confirm what the story is with the pool. |
| around 90° maximum. In June, July and | | | | Seven out of eight days in Las Vegas have zero |
| August the average daily high is over 100°! | | | | rainfall. Most of the rainy days come either in late |
| Some locals will tell you, "but it's a dry heat." So is | | | | winter/early spring, or in late summer with |
| an oven's. All the reflected metal, asphalt and | | | | occasional late afternoon thunderstorms. |
| concrete around the Strip act just like an oven, | | | | Local doctors say that the main medical issue for |
| pushing the thermometer several degrees higher | | | | visitors to Las Vegas is dehydration. For most of |
| on the sidewalks. So if you plan to be in Las | | | | the year the humidity is 20% or less. When you |
| Vegas during the summer, severely limit your | | | | face air that is so dry, you should take a bottle |
| exposure to the hot midday sun. | | | | of water with you if you go walking or exercising. |
| Ironically, tourists sometimes get colds in the | | | | Consciously drink lots of water whenever you get |
| summer - not from the heat, but from the air | | | | the chance. Soft drinks, coffee, tea and alcohol do |
| conditioning. Everyone runs the air conditioning! For | | | | not have the desired effect. |
| that reason, take a shirt, sweater or light jacket | | | | The second most frequent issue - often |
| with you if you plan to go to a restaurant or | | | | combined with dehydration -- is over-exposure to |
| show, where the temperature contrast with the | | | | the sun and heat. Be sure to protect your eyes |
| outdoors can be a shock to the system. | | | | and skin - particularly your scalp and face - from |
| For three of the four seasons, the nights in Las | | | | UV rays. To moisturize your skin in such a dry |
| Vegas are very mild, with average nightly lows in | | | | climate, plan to use sun oil or lotion liberally. |
| the 70's, more or less. (In the early spring, you | | | | If you come to Vegas prepared for the climate, |
| are in the 60's, and July's average is 81°.) | | | | your time will be that much more enjoyable! |