Understanding the Weather in Las Vegas

Las Vegas is a year-round city. While the weather can be tricky and strange, you aren't going to get blizzards or tons of rain or other fun-dampening problems. Sure, it can get hot — oh, man, can it! — but that's why they invented swimming pools and air conditioning, both of which are found in Vegas in abundance. But, because it's a year-round city, you may find that when it's off season for other popular tourist destinations, Vegas's hotel rooms may be full thanks to conventions, a highly publicized boxing match, or some other crowd-drawing event.

Do remember that weekdays here are considerably less crowded than weekends, which means that you're likely to find the best hotel rates on weekdays.

Spending springtime in Vegas

Spring is a popular vacation time for most travelers, and Vegas is no different. Some of the best reasons to go to Vegas in the springtime follow:

• It's not hot yet!

• Kids are still in school, so adults have the run of this most adult of destinations.

• It's a good time to go hiking in Red Rock Canyon, where the wildflowers will be blooming.

But keep in mind the following springtime pitfalls:

• Just because it's not hot doesn't mean that the weather is necessarily nice. Strong winds can blow, making lying by the pool a nasty adventure and producing cold nights. And it can rain. (One year, a heavy downpour put so much water on the Strip that people were using rowboats!)

• Some production shows take time off during the spring to rest up.

Heating up with the summer scene

Another popular travel time is summer. Ahhh, summer. The lazy days and quiet nights. . . . Well, not in Vegas! Vegas is a bustling metropolis at all times of the year, and summer is no different. Here are some points to consider:

• It may be hot, but at least it's not humid. Yes, dry heat really does feel less stifling!

June and July are traditionally among the slowest times of the year, meaning smaller crowds and often much better hotel rates.

• All those wonderful hotel pools are fully open and operational, as is the city's water park.

But, again, keep in mind the following:

• It gets really stinkin' hot in the summer. Like 118 degrees Fahrenheit hot.

• Between conventions, family vacations, and savvy travelers, it's rapidly becoming as popular a time to go as any other.

• Did we mention that it gets really hot in the summer?

• Because of the heat, everyone is at the pool (even though it's probably too hot to stay outside for long), making the pool areas less peaceful and more party-hearty.

• School is out, and the Strip is swarming with kids who don't have that much to keep them occupied.

Enjoying fall in the desert

Fall is a beautiful time of year — no matter where you are. Here are some autumn bonuses for the Las Vegas scene:

• You get the best weather in the fall; still warm enough to swim, but not so hot that you want to shrivel up and die.

• The kids are back in school, and adults have the city to themselves again.

Some things to look out for, however:

• Several major trade shows and events bring out the convention types, so watch out for scarce room availability and high rates.

• Beware of unpredictable September or October Indian-summer heat waves (don't forget the summer duds and sunscreen — just in case!).

Wintering in the West

Winter brings visions of softly falling snowflakes (and slick roads and salt trucks) to most travelers. But that's not often the case in Las Vegas. You should consider the following when planning a winter vacation in Vegas:

• Next to June and July, the week before Christmas and the week after New Year's are the two slowest times of the year. In fact, December generally isn't a bad month for crowds.

Hotel prices sink during the slowest weeks of the winter, making it much easier to get a good room at a great rate.

Winter does have its downside, however. Consider the following:

• Tourists are quickly catching on to the fact that winter travel is slower in Vegas, so eventually those cold months may become as crowded as any other.

• Desert winters can get surprisingly cold — some years, you may even see snowfall!

• Because the weather is nippy, hotels (assuming fewer people want to swim) may close part or all their pool areas for maintenance purposes.

• It's the other time of year (along with springtime) when shows can close for a week; hey, performers need vacations, too.

• New Year's Eve crowds in Vegas are starting to rival those in New York's Times Square, and Valentine's Day brings waves of people to town looking for a romantic quickie wedding.

• The biggest convention to hit town, the Consumer Electronics Show, is held during this season.

• And don't forget the Super Bowl, the NCAA's March Madness, and the NASCAR Nextel Championship, all of which bring out the sports-book gamblers.