Weather and climate in Nevada: Hot summers with low humidity. Cold deserts in northern Nevada. Mild winters in southern regions. Frequent sunshine year-round. Occasional summer thunderstorms. Rare precipitation in desert areas. Snowfall in mountainous regions. Rapid temperature fluctuations. Monsoon season influences the south. Dry climate with drought risks.
Hot summers with low humidity.
Nevada experiences hot summers, particularly in the southern part, with average high temperatures often nearing 100°F in July and August. The low humidity levels make the high temperatures less disagreeable. The dry air contributes to significant diurnal temperature variations, with nighttime temperatures dropping substantially even after the hottest days. For more information, you can visit the Nevada Climate Office to better understand these weather patterns.
Cold deserts in northern Nevada.
Northern Nevada, particularly within the Great Basin, features a cold desert climate characterized by hot summers with high temperatures often in the mid-80s, and cold winters with daytime highs barely above freezing. Nighttime lows in this region can drop below freezing from October through April, and the area receives more precipitation than southern Nevada, averaging around 12.85 inches annually. For more detailed insights into the regional climate, you can visit the Nevada Climate Office.
Mild winters in southern regions.
In Southern Nevada, winters are relatively mild, with average high temperatures in the 50s and average low temperatures in the 30s from December through February. This climate pattern makes the region significantly warmer than the rest of the state. For more detailed information on the climate in this region, you can visit the Nevada Climate Office website, which provides comprehensive insights into local weather and climate conditions.
Frequent sunshine year-round.
Nevada is known for its frequent sunshine year-round, with cities like Las Vegas averaging 210 sunny days and 292 total days with sun per year, and the state as a whole experiencing low humidity and limited precipitation, making it one of the sunniest regions in the country.
Occasional summer thunderstorms.
Occasional summer thunderstorms in Nevada, particularly in the eastern portion, can be intense and are locally termed "cloudbursts," bringing significant rain in a short period, though they are usually not destructive and occur in sparsely settled mountainous areas. These storms are more frequent during the summer months and can be associated with the North American Monsoonal Weather Pattern, which brings moisture from the Gulf of California into the region.
Rare precipitation in desert areas.
In the Mojave Desert region of Nevada, rare precipitation events are significant, with Cool-Season Precipitation being the most important source, and warm-season precipitation often resulting from infrequent but dramatic sources like tropical cyclones and thunderstorms, which can cause severe flash flooding. For more detailed information, you can visit the USGS website to explore the dynamics of precipitation and its impacts on the environment.
Snowfall in mountainous regions.
In Nevada's mountainous regions, snowfall is heavy, particularly in the north, with seasonal totals often exceeding 300 inches. This snowpack serves as a crucial water source, melting in the spring to cause streamflow and occasionally leading to flooding, especially when combined with warm rains. For more detailed information about Nevada's Climate Narrative, you can visit the Western Regional Climate Center website.
Rapid temperature fluctuations.
Nevada experiences significant rapid temperature fluctuations, with daily temperature ranges of about 30 to 35 degrees, larger in summer than in winter, due to strong surface heating during the day and rapid nighttime cooling in the dry air. This results in cool nights even after the hottest days, and the state's climate is heavily influenced by its dry air and the Sierra Nevada mountain range. For more detailed information on this phenomenon, you can visit the Sierra Nevada website.
Monsoon season influences the south.
In Southern Nevada, the monsoon season, typically from July to August, brings increased moisture and humidity to the Mojave Desert, triggering scattered thunderstorms that can cause heavy rain and flash flooding, especially in the mountains and valleys around Las Vegas.
Dry climate with drought risks.
Nevada, the driest state in the U.S., is experiencing the worst drought in recorded history in the Colorado River Basin, with significant declines in snowfall and runoff since 2000, leading to severe water shortages and reduced water levels in Lake Mead and Lake Powell. Despite occasional wet winters, the region remains under water shortage declarations, and drought conditions are expected to increase in frequency and severity due to higher temperatures and increased evaporative demand. For more detailed information, you can visit the Southern Nevada Water Authority website.