Honestly, people think Las Vegas is just a giant heat lamp in the middle of the desert. You see the movies, you see the pool parties, and you assume it’s always 100 degrees. But right now? It's a different story.
If you stepped outside onto the Strip at 1:26 PM today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, you'd find that what's the current temperature in las vegas nevada is exactly 68°F.
That’s actually pretty great for January. Usually, this month is the city's wake-up call that winter exists. We aren't talking Chicago levels of cold, but for a place built on sun and neon, it's brisk. Today is holding steady with a high of 69°F, and the sun is out in full force. No clouds. Just that high-desert blue sky that makes the Stratosphere look like it's piercing the atmosphere.
Why the Current Vegas Temperature Might Trick You
Vegas has this weird habit of feeling warmer than the thermometer says—until the sun goes behind a building. Because the humidity is sitting at a bone-dry 13% right now, 68°F feels like a crisp spring afternoon. But don't let the "sunny" description on your phone fool you into thinking it's t-shirt weather all night.
The wind is currently coming from the north at 5 mph. It’s just a light breeze, but in the desert, that north wind carries a bit of a bite.
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Here is the thing about January in Nevada: the "diurnal shift" is brutal. That’s a fancy way of saying the temperature crashes the second the sun sets. While we’re enjoying the high 60s right now, we’re looking at a low of 43°F tonight. That is a 26-degree drop. If you’re waiting in line for a club or walking from Caesars to the Bellagio fountains at 9:00 PM, you’re going to want a real jacket. Not a "fashion" jacket. A real one.
What the Locals Know About This Forecast
Most tourists show up in January expecting the same weather they saw in a music video filmed in July. Big mistake.
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The National Weather Service office over on Dean Martin Drive often points out that January is technically our "wettest" month, though "wet" in Vegas is a relative term. We’re expecting 0% chance of rain for the rest of the day, but there's a tiny 10% chance of a few showers late tonight as some clouds roll in.
- UV Index: It's only a 1 right now. You probably won't burn, but the high elevation (Vegas is about 2,000 feet up) means the sun is stronger than you think.
- Visibility: It’s crystal clear. You can probably see the snow on top of Mount Charleston from the parking garages.
- The Wind Factor: At 5 mph, it’s a non-issue today. But when those gusts hit 20 or 30 mph—which happens a lot in the valley—that 68°F starts feeling like 50°F real fast.
Planning Your Day Around 68 Degrees
If you’re wondering what's the current temperature in las vegas nevada because you're trying to figure out what to wear, here is the move: layers.
It's actually the perfect weather for "Outdoorsy Vegas." You can actually walk the Strip without melting into the sidewalk. It’s also the prime time for hiking Red Rock Canyon or visiting the Valley of Fire. In the summer, those places are literal ovens. Right now? They are world-class.
Just keep in mind that the casinos are climate-controlled to feel like a steady 72°F year-round. Sometimes, it actually feels warmer inside the Bellagio than it does on the sidewalk today.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Trip
Since the weather is holding at a beautiful 68°F, take advantage of the clear visibility. Head to a rooftop bar like Skyfall or the Foundation Room early to catch the sunset before the temperature drops into the 40s. Pack a medium-weight jacket if you plan on being out past 5:00 PM, as the "mostly cloudy" shift tonight will make the air feel much dampier than the current 13% humidity. If you're heading toward Lake Mead or the Hoover Dam, expect the wind to be slightly stronger than the 5 mph we're seeing in the city center.