Look, we've all done it. You’re standing on the Las Vegas Strip, the sun is cooking the pavement even in January, and you think, "Hey, let's head up the mountain." But Mt Charleston weather today is a completely different beast than the valley floor, and honestly, if you don't check the specific numbers before you start that 45-minute drive, you're gonna have a bad time.
Today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, is a bit of a weird one. While it looks like a standard "bluebird" day from your hotel window, things are much more nuanced once you hit those higher elevations.
The Raw Numbers You Actually Need
Right now, the current temperature at Mount Charleston is sitting at 51°F. That sounds almost balmy, right? Wrong. The humidity is super low at 27%, and with a light 1 mph west wind, it feels crisp, but don't let the "high" of 52°F fool you.
As soon as the sun dips behind those limestone cliffs, the temperature is going to crater. We're looking at a low of 33°F tonight.
If you're planning on being outside past 4:00 PM, you’re basically moving from a light hoodie environment into "where did I put my heavy parka" territory in the span of an hour. The sky is currently mostly cloudy, which adds a bit of a chill to the air that the thermometer doesn't always capture.
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Snow Play and Skiing Realities
Kinda surprising for mid-January, but the natural snow is actually pretty thin right now. If you're heading up specifically to sled or build a snowman, you might be disappointed. Official reports suggest the snow depth is still a bit too meager for safe roadside snow play—most spots need about another foot of the white stuff before the Forest Service gives the thumbs up for sledding.
However, Lee Canyon is a different story. They’ve been working their snowmaking magic.
- Lifts: All 5 lifts are spinning.
- Trails: 29 out of 29 trails are open.
- Natural Snow: Only about 1 inch at the 8,626 ft level.
Basically, if you’re skiing or boarding on the groomed runs, you’re golden. If you’re trying to find a random hill to slide down on a plastic saucer, you’re probably just going to hit rocks and dirt.
The Logistics: Traffic and Road Conditions
Today is part of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, which means the canyons are essentially a parking lot. Local authorities are already warning about gridlock. Honestly, if you aren't already halfway up Nevada State Routes 156 or 157 by 9:00 AM, you're going to spend more time looking at the bumper of a Honda Odyssey than at any actual trees.
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Current road conditions:
- SR-156 (Lee Canyon Rd): OPEN
- SR-157 (Kyle Canyon Rd): OPEN
- SR-158 (Deer Creek Rd): OPEN
Even though the roads are clear of ice for the moment, the Nevada Highway Patrol often sets up checkpoints when the parking lots fill up. When they say a canyon is "closed," they usually mean it’s closed to new traffic because there’s literally nowhere left to put a car.
What’s Actually Open (and What’s Not)
Don't just drive up and hope for the best. Since the damage from Tropical Storm Hilary, a bunch of the "usual" spots are still tucked away behind "Closed" signs.
- STILL CLOSED: Mary Jane Falls, Trail Canyon, and Cathedral Rock trails. These sustained heavy damage and aren't ready for primetime yet.
- OPEN: Kyle Canyon Picnic Area, McWilliams Campground, and the Foxtail snowplay area (though Foxtail is a fee-based site).
Why This Forecast is Sneaky
There is a 10% chance of precipitation during the day, specifically listed as snow. While 10% sounds like "it won't happen," in the mountains, that usually means a sudden, localized flurry that disappears as fast as it arrived. It won't add to the snowpack, but it'll definitely make the roads slick for a minute.
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Also, keep an eye on the UV index. It’s only a 2 today, but at nearly 9,000 feet, the atmosphere is thinner. You’ll get a "mountain tan" (read: sunburn) way faster than you think, especially with the sun reflecting off whatever snow is left on the ground.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
If you're determined to head up today, here is your survival checklist:
- Check the NVroads.com cameras before you leave. If the line of cars looks long, it’s only going to get worse.
- Dress in three layers. A base layer for moisture, a middle layer for warmth, and a shell for the wind. That 52°F high is a peak, not an average.
- Fill your gas tank in Vegas. There are no gas stations on the mountain. If you get stuck in holiday traffic for two hours, you don't want to be staring at your "low fuel" light.
- Bring your own water. The humidity is only 27%, which is bone-dry. You'll dehydrate faster than you realize.
Mount Charleston is a top-tier escape from the neon of the Strip, but today requires a bit of strategy. Stick to the ski resort if you want snow, and stick to the lower trails if you just want a hike.
Would you like me to look up the specific lift ticket prices for Lee Canyon today or check if there are any active chain requirements for the evening commute?