Honestly, if you're looking at the 5 day weather las vegas forecast right now and thinking it’s just another "sunny desert week," you’re setting yourself up for a very chilly surprise once the sun dips behind the Spring Mountains.
The desert is a liar. It lures you in with that bright, 69°F afternoon glow, but by the time you're walking from Caesars to the Bellagio fountains at 9 PM, that 43°F low hits like a physical wall. I’ve seen enough shivering tourists in flip-flops near the Flamingo to know that most people treat Vegas like it’s Hawaii. It isn't.
The 5 Day Weather Las Vegas Reality Check
Right now, we are looking at a classic January stretch. It's beautiful, but it's binary. You have the "Sun is Out" weather and the "Sun is Gone" weather. There is no middle ground.
Today, Saturday, January 17, we’re peaking at a gorgeous 69°F. It’s basically the gold standard for Vegas winter. But don't let the 0% chance of rain during the day fool you; there’s a sneaky 10% chance of a shower tonight as the clouds roll in. If you’re planning on being out late, that "mostly cloudy" sky is going to trap some heat, but you’re still looking at a low of 43°F.
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Tomorrow, Sunday, things cool off just a touch. We’re hitting a high of 65°F with more cloud cover. This is actually prime walking weather. You won’t get that stinging desert sun on your neck, but the UV index is a measly 1, so you can probably leave the heavy-duty zinc at home for 24 hours.
The Mid-Week Outlook
As we move into Monday and Tuesday, the sky clears out completely.
- Monday, Jan 19: High of 69°F, Low of 43°F. Crystal clear. 7 mph winds from the north, which might make the shade feel a bit "bitey."
- Tuesday, Jan 20: High of 65°F, Low of 41°F. This is the coldest night of the week. If you're doing an outdoor dinner, make sure there's a heat lamp nearby.
- Wednesday, Jan 21: Back to 65°F during the day. It’s consistent, if nothing else.
Basically, the 5 day weather las vegas forecast is telling you to dress for two different planets.
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The "Dry Heat" Myth in Winter
People always talk about the dry heat, but in January, it’s the dry cold that gets you. The humidity right now is hovering between 15% and 26%. That sounds like a statistic, but what it actually means is your skin is going to feel like parchment paper by day three.
Pro tip: The wind is coming mostly from the north and west this week. Even at 5 mph, that air has zero moisture in it. It saps the heat right off your skin. If you’re walking the Strip, those wind tunnels between the massive resorts (looking at you, Wynn and Encore) turn a light breeze into a localized gale.
What Most People Get Wrong About Packing
I’ve seen it a thousand times. Someone packs a single, massive parka because they saw "40 degrees" on their weather app. Then they spend the whole day sweating inside a casino that is still blasting A/C because 4,000 people are generating body heat at the slots.
Vegas in January is a game of layers. You need a base layer (t-shirt), a "casino layer" (hoodie or light sweater), and a "Strip layer" (medium-weight jacket).
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And please, for the love of everything, wear real socks. The ground in Vegas is concrete and stone. It holds the cold. If you’re wearing thin fashion sneakers with no-show socks, your feet will be numb by the time you hit the Linq Promenade.
Where to Hide When the Temp Drops
If the Tuesday night low of 41°F feels too aggressive, you’ve got options. Vegas is built for climate control.
- The Conservatory at Bellagio: It’s indoors, it’s botanical, and it’s always a perfect 70-something degrees.
- The Forum Shops: You can walk for miles in a simulated twilight that never drops below room temperature.
- Stadium Swim at Circa: Believe it or not, people are swimming right now. The pools are heated to 94°F. It’s the only place where the 5 day weather las vegas forecast doesn't matter because you’re basically in a giant bathtub watching the game.
The Final Verdict on This Week
This is actually one of the best weeks to visit if you hate the crowds. The post-holiday lull is real. The weather is stable—no major storms, no "Nokaen" typhoon remnants reaching us, just pure high-desert winter.
Keep an eye on the wind speeds for Monday. That 7 mph north wind is the only thing that might ruin a patio brunch. Otherwise, it’s "light jacket" season in the sun and "heavy hoodie" season under the neon.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Pack a dedicated lip balm. The 15% humidity will find you.
- Check your hotel’s pool status. Don't assume it's open; only a few (like Circa or MGM Grand's select pools) stay heated and active in January.
- Download a transit app. If the 41°F night air hits while you're at the North End, you'll want a Deuce bus or an Uber rather than a 2-mile walk back to the mid-Strip.