Right now, the temperature in Las Vegas is 56°F. It’s night, the sky is perfectly clear, and there’s a light 3 mph breeze coming from the west. If you’re standing on the Strip, it probably feels exactly like what it is: a crisp, dry desert evening.
People always think of Vegas as this blistering furnace where you can fry an egg on the sidewalk. And sure, in July, that’s basically the vibe. But honestly, January is a totally different beast. Most tourists hop off the plane expecting palm tree weather and end up shivering in a t-shirt because they didn't realize the Mojave Desert actually has a winter.
The current temperature in Las Vegas and why it’s "Chilly"
Usually, the temperature in Las Vegas right now would be hovering around its average January high of 58°F, but today, January 16, 2026, we’re seeing a bit of a warm spike. Today’s high hit 70°F. That's significantly warmer than the historical average of roughly 57°F for this time of year.
It’s sunny. The humidity is sitting at a bone-dry 20%. If you’ve ever wondered why your skin feels like parchment paper the second you land at Harry Reid International, that's your answer. The dew point is basically non-existent.
Here is the quick breakdown of what to expect for the rest of today and the coming week:
- Today (Jan 16): Sunny with a high of 70°F. Tonight, it’ll drop to a low of 47°F.
- Tomorrow (Jan 17): Still sunny, slightly cooler at 68°F for the high and 42°F for the low.
- Sunday (Jan 18): Partly sunny, high of 65°F, low of 42°F.
Basically, it's perfect walking weather. You won't be sweating through your clothes while trek-ing from Caesars to the Wynn, but you’re definitely going to need a jacket once the sun dips behind the Spring Mountains.
What people get wrong about Vegas winters
There’s this weird myth that Vegas is "hot" all the time. It’s not. January is technically the coldest month in the valley. While the daytime is often pleasant, the temperature swings are wild. You can go from a beautiful 69°F afternoon to a 46°F night in what feels like the blink of an eye.
The record high for January 16 was 73°F back in 1976. We're flirting with that today. On the flip side, the record low for this day was a brutal 23°F in 1964. Imagine waking up to frost on the fountains at the Bellagio—it happens more often than people think.
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Packing for the desert swing
If you're heading out right now, don't just pack for the 70-degree sun.
- Layers are everything. A light hoodie or a denim jacket is the MVP of a Vegas January.
- Moisturizer. Seriously. With 20% humidity, you’ll need it.
- Sunglasses. The desert sun is intense even when it’s "cool" out. The UV index today is a 3, which is moderate, so don't let the air temp fool you into thinking you won't get burned.
Looking ahead at the week
We’re looking at a pretty consistent stretch of "room temperature" weather. Monday stays sunny at 68°F, and Tuesday dips slightly to 66°F. There’s almost zero chance of rain—we’re talking 0% to 5% throughout the week.
If you’re planning on doing any hiking at Red Rock Canyon or heading out to Valley of Fire, this is arguably the best week of the year to do it. You get all the scenery without the 110-degree heat stroke risk. Just keep an eye on the wind; northwest gusts of about 7-8 mph are expected today, which can make that 70 degrees feel a little bit "zippy" if you’re in the shade.
For anyone sitting in a snowy climate right now looking at the temperature in Las Vegas, yeah, 70 degrees sounds like a dream. Just remember to bring a sweater for the casino floors. Those places are kept at a permanent 68 degrees year-round, regardless of what's happening outside.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
- Check the wind chill: If you’re heading to the High Roller or an outdoor lounge, those 7 mph winds can make the 56°F current temp feel closer to 50°F.
- Hydrate: Even though it’s not "hot," the dry air pulls moisture out of you fast.
- Sunscreen: A UV index of 3 still requires protection if you're out for more than 45 minutes.