You’re thinking about Vegas in November. You've probably seen the pictures of people in light jackets walking the Strip, looking perfectly comfortable while the rest of the country is digging out their heavy wool coats. It looks idyllic. But there is a specific kind of "desert cold" that catches people off guard every single year.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a psychological trick. You see the palm trees, the bright neon, and the outdoor pools, and your brain screams "summer." Then the sun goes behind a building at 4:00 PM and suddenly you’re shivering in a t-shirt. November Las Vegas weather is a game of two halves. If you don't play both, you're going to have a miserable time.
The Reality of the Temperature Drop
Let’s talk numbers, but not the boring kind. On a typical November afternoon, you’re looking at highs around 66°F (19°C). That sounds lovely, right? It’s basically standard "light sweater" weather. But here is the kicker: the lows average 46°F (8°C).
That is a twenty-degree swing.
In the desert, there is no humidity to hold the heat in the air. When that sun dips, the temperature doesn't just slide; it falls off a cliff. I’ve seen tourists huddled in gift shops buying overpriced $60 hoodies because they thought they could handle a walk from Caesars to the Bellagio in a tank top after dark. Don't be that person.
Daylight is Shorter Than You Think
By mid-November, the sun sets around 4:30 PM. This is a massive factor for your itinerary. If you’re planning on doing a self-guided walking tour of the outdoor fountains or the Volcano at the Mirage, your window of "warmth" is tiny.
Basically, you have from about 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM to enjoy the actual "warm" Vegas. After that, it’s officially jacket season.
The F1 Factor and "Extreme" November Anomalies
If you happen to visit during the Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix, usually held in late November, the weather becomes a central character in the drama. In 2024 and 2025, we saw teams struggling specifically because of the cold track temperatures.
While Vegas is known for being dry, November isn't immune to a random storm. For example, during the 2025 race weekend, the city saw a weird mix of light rain and humidity levels spiking to 66% during practice sessions. While the average rainfall for the month is only about 0.4 inches, it usually comes in short, sharp bursts that can turn the Strip into a literal slip-and-slide.
- Early November: Expect lingering warmth. Highs can occasionally hit the mid-70s.
- Thanksgiving Weekend: This is usually when the "real" winter starts to creep in.
- The Wind: Las Vegas is essentially a giant bowl. In November, wind speeds average around 11 mph, but gusts coming off the mountains can make 50 degrees feel like 40.
What Most People Get Wrong About Packing
I’ve lived in the desert, and I’ve visited as a tourist. The mistake everyone makes is packing for the "average." If the average is 60, they pack for 60.
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You need to pack for 40 and 75.
The Essential November Layering Strategy
You’ve heard it before, but layers are king here. Start with a breathable base. Inside the casinos, the air conditioning is still blasting because they need to keep thousands of people and humming slot machines cool. It can feel like a refrigerator inside even if it’s 65 outside.
- A Mid-Weight Jacket: Leather, denim, or a light puffer. You don’t need a Canada Goose parka, but a windbreaker isn't going to cut it at midnight on a rooftop bar.
- Closed-Toe Shoes: Forget the flip-flops. Unless you are literally sitting by one of the few heated pools (like the Stadium Swim at Circa or the Chelsea Pool at Cosmopolitan), your feet will be freezing. Plus, you’re going to be walking 10,000+ steps. Your feet need support and warmth.
- The "Vegas Fancy" Exception: If you’re hitting a high-end spot like Mizumi or Mayfair Supper Club, remember that "fashion" usually wins over "comfort." However, most coat checks are efficient. Wear the big coat to the door, check it, and enjoy the show in your cocktail dress.
Can You Actually Swim in November?
Short answer: Maybe.
Long answer: It depends on where you stay.
Most Strip pools shut down in October. They go into "winter hibernation" where they might keep one small dipping pool open, but the grand "day club" vibe is dead. However, places like The Cosmopolitan often transform their Boulevard Pool into a skating rink. Yes, an ice rink in the desert.
If swimming is a dealbreaker, you need to check if your hotel has a heated year-round pool. The Circa downtown is famous for this—they keep the water at a comfortable temperature even when it’s chilly out. Just realize that the walk from the water back to your towel is going to be brutal.
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Real Advice for November Travel
If you want the best of November Las Vegas weather, aim for the first week of the month. You get the tail end of the fall warmth without the biting wind that tends to show up later.
Watch the humidity. The air is incredibly dry—usually around 31% to 33%. This will dry out your skin and your sinuses faster than you realize. Carry a travel-sized lotion and some saline nasal spray. It sounds like "grandma advice," but after two days of "Vegas nose," you’ll thank me.
Plan your outdoor activities for the "Golden Window" between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM. This includes things like Red Rock Canyon or the Neon Museum. If you're heading to the Hoover Dam, remember it's even windier out there than it is on the Strip.
Check the local event calendar before you book. If a major convention or the F1 race is in town, prices triple and the "weather experience" changes because you're spending more time standing outside in lines or navigating detours. A 15-minute walk in 50-degree weather is fine; a 45-minute detour because the Strip is closed for racing is a different story.
Pack a scarf. It takes up almost no room in your bag and is the single most effective way to deal with the wind tunneling between the massive hotel towers. Use the morning for your "nature" hits and save the indoor gambling and shows for the post-sunset drop.