Honestly, everyone thinks Las Vegas is just a giant heat lamp in the desert. You've seen the movies where people are sweating through their linen shirts at midnight. But if you're looking at the 15 day Las Vegas weather right now, specifically for mid-to-late January 2026, you're in for a reality check.
It’s chilly. Like, "I need a real jacket" chilly.
Right now, as we sit on January 15, the current temperature is a crisp 50°F. If you're walking the Strip tonight, that northwest wind at 4 mph might feel like a light tickle, but the humidity is only 34%. That dry air makes the cold bite a little harder than you’d expect if you're coming from a humid place like Florida or Houston.
The Short-Term Forecast: Sun and Shivers
Tomorrow, Friday the 16th, is going to be gorgeous but deceptive. We’re looking at a high of 71°F. That sounds like pool weather, right? Wrong. The humidity is tanking to 19%, and the wind is kicking up to 12 mph from the north. When that sun goes down, it’s dropping straight to 46°F.
Basically, you'll be peeling off layers at lunch and shivering by dinner.
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Saturday keeps the trend alive with a high of 66°F and a low of 45°F. Most locals are actually happy about the "snow drought" we've been hearing about from the National Weather Service. While the mountains usually have about 1.46 million acres of snow by now, we're seeing way less this year. It means the hiking at Red Rock is world-class right now—perfect "send temps" for climbers, as they say.
Why the 15 Day Las Vegas Weather Matters for Your Suitcase
If you're planning to stay through next week, here is the deal. Sunday, January 18, brings some clouds. We’re talking "mostly cloudy" with a high of 63°F. There’s a tiny 10% chance of rain, but honestly, rain in Vegas usually just turns the dust on your rental car into spots.
By the time we hit the middle of next week—Wednesday the 21st—the highs dip to 62°F.
- Monday (Jan 19): Sunny, high 66°F, low 44°F.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): Sunny, high 64°F, low 44°F.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): Sunny but cool, high 62°F, low 44°F.
- Thursday (Jan 22): Sunny, high 63°F, low 46°F.
See that pattern? The lows are consistently in the mid-40s. According to historical data from McCarran (now Harry Reid International), January is officially the coldest month of the year here. While the tourists are still wearing shorts because "it's the desert," the locals are in parkas.
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What Nobody Tells You About Desert Winter
The "heat island" effect is real. If you stay at a place like the Wynn or Caesars Palace, the concrete of the Strip holds onto heat. But if you venture out to Summerlin or the east side of the valley, it can be 5 to 10 degrees colder. Cold air loves to drain into the lower parts of the valley at night.
Also, the sun sets early. We're talking around 5:00 PM. Once that sun disappears behind the Spring Mountains, the temperature doesn't just "drop"—it plummets.
If you're here for the Raiders game or catching David Spade and Nikki Glaser at Caesars (Jan 15-16), do not rely on the daytime high. Dress for the nighttime low. The casinos blast the AC even when it's cold outside, which is sort of a weird Vegas tradition.
Actionable Advice for Your Trip
Stop checking the weather once and assuming it stays that way. The desert is moody.
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Pack a "transition kit." A light down vest or a medium-weight denim jacket is your best friend. You want something you can easily shove into a bag when you're inside the warm casinos but zip up tight when you're waiting for an Uber.
Hydrate more than you think. People forget to drink water when it’s 50 degrees. With humidity hovering between 19% and 25% over the next few days, you will dry out fast. Your skin will itch, and your throat will feel scratchy. It’s not a cold; it’s just the Mojave.
Check the wind. Friday’s 12 mph north wind is enough to make a 71-degree day feel like 60. If you’re planning a helicopter tour or a trip to the Grand Canyon, wind is the factor that actually cancels plans, not the temperature.
Watch for the 24th. Saturday, January 24, currently shows a 25% chance of rain with a high of 62°F. That’s the highest chance of precipitation in the current window. If you have outdoor plans, maybe move them to the sunny Tuesday or Wednesday before.