How hot is hot?
Mar 22nd, 2005, 12:22 PM
#2
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The average daily high in August is 103F. That's the average. It could be hotter. On average, it gets as low as 74F at night. The record high for Vegas is 116F.
When the sun is shining and reflecting off of everything, it's hot!
On the other hand, if you spend the majority of your daytime hours indoors (sleeping, gambling, shopping, etc.) it's air conditioned and you'll be fine. It should be cool enough to enjoy the outdoors at night.
Pools will be very crowded, and a lot of cement makes the whole sun reflection thing a problem here as well.
When the sun is shining and reflecting off of everything, it's hot!
On the other hand, if you spend the majority of your daytime hours indoors (sleeping, gambling, shopping, etc.) it's air conditioned and you'll be fine. It should be cool enough to enjoy the outdoors at night.
Pools will be very crowded, and a lot of cement makes the whole sun reflection thing a problem here as well.
Mar 22nd, 2005, 12:26 PM
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It is the Desert Southwest. In August, it's hot and for the most part bone-dry (with the occasional monsoon). Average daily highs are around 102F, but you can expect it as high as 110F on a regular basis. The sun is unencumbered by cloud cover, so the UV index will hover around 10 every day.
Unbearable? If you're running a marathon, yes. If you're lying around a pool, sunscreen wisely-applied, misting systems keeping you cool along with lots of cold water at hand, it's fine. Basic rule-- limit daytime outdoor activities. Go out at night-- the temps might dip below 80F. Drink LOTS of water.
Unbearable? If you're running a marathon, yes. If you're lying around a pool, sunscreen wisely-applied, misting systems keeping you cool along with lots of cold water at hand, it's fine. Basic rule-- limit daytime outdoor activities. Go out at night-- the temps might dip below 80F. Drink LOTS of water.
Mar 22nd, 2005, 12:32 PM
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Thanks for the feedback. I understand it's dry heat so the humidity is next to nothing. Any other thoughts about travelling to Vegas in August if that is the only time we have available to go?
Mar 22nd, 2005, 12:41 PM
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If you can go only in August and never been to Vegas - go! Plan on staying indoors during daytime - the air conditioners are blowing full blast, have a light sweater with you in a casino, I am not kidding!
Stay in a good hotel in the center of the strip, which is connected to another hotel, so you won't get bored.
Is monorail air conditioned?
Stay in a good hotel in the center of the strip, which is connected to another hotel, so you won't get bored.
Is monorail air conditioned?
Mar 22nd, 2005, 12:43 PM
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I was in Vegas in August 8 years ago for about 1.5 days (flew in on my way somewhere else).
It was not dry heat. The desert is usually dry, but August is actually among the rainiest months in Vegas (averaging just over 0.5 inches of rain for the month).
While we were there it was raining lightly almost the entire time, but it will still around 100F outside. That meant that the rain all evaporated as it hit the ground and it was unbelievably humid!
Dry heat is likely, but not guaranteed in Vegas in August.
That said, if I could only make it to Vegas in August, I'd do it, with the warnings mentioned above. Plan to stay up very late and sleep in, and do your outdoor activities at night. Don't plan to do any hiking, or walk all up and down the strip all day long. Do plan to use public transportation to get around during the day (monorail and cabs).
From what I understand, prices and crowds are both better in August than other times of the year (lower prices, fewer people) so that's a bonus.
It was not dry heat. The desert is usually dry, but August is actually among the rainiest months in Vegas (averaging just over 0.5 inches of rain for the month).
While we were there it was raining lightly almost the entire time, but it will still around 100F outside. That meant that the rain all evaporated as it hit the ground and it was unbelievably humid!
Dry heat is likely, but not guaranteed in Vegas in August.
That said, if I could only make it to Vegas in August, I'd do it, with the warnings mentioned above. Plan to stay up very late and sleep in, and do your outdoor activities at night. Don't plan to do any hiking, or walk all up and down the strip all day long. Do plan to use public transportation to get around during the day (monorail and cabs).
From what I understand, prices and crowds are both better in August than other times of the year (lower prices, fewer people) so that's a bonus.
Mar 22nd, 2005, 12:45 PM
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I made my post with the assumption that the monorail is air-conditioned. I just checked, and it is.
http://www.lvmonorail.com/about_04_faq.html
http://www.lvmonorail.com/about_04_faq.html
Mar 22nd, 2005, 01:27 PM
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We were there for a couple days in August this past year, and we're from South Florida so we know hot. But I thought if one more person said, "oh but this is DRY heat!" I was going to punch them in the mouth. IT WAS HOT. What's more it didn't cool down at night. It was well above 100 during the day (someone said 115 one day), and stayed at 100 or more well into the evening. We tried to get quickly from building to building even at night.
Mar 22nd, 2005, 01:28 PM
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A frying pan is hot whether there is steam in it or not and I content that 112 degrees is unbearable whether it is humid or dry. That is what it is likely to be in August in Vegas. But, as previous poster said, you will probably spend most of your time inside or in the pool. GO! Enjoy!!
Mar 22nd, 2005, 01:37 PM
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Totally hot as others have mentioned. I don't even understand how adults can stand being in a pool for more than about 10 minutes. That August sun will tear your skin off.
So you put on extra thick lotion...along with the many other folks in the pool who are sweating and leaking that greasy lotion off their bodies in the hot pool water, in the baking sun. Pretty soon you have body soup that you are frolicking in...nice vacation? Steam room anybody?
I have done summer in Vegas...I stay indoors as much as possible. I have never experienced 70's at night (maybe not even 80's), even in the wee hours.
So you put on extra thick lotion...along with the many other folks in the pool who are sweating and leaking that greasy lotion off their bodies in the hot pool water, in the baking sun. Pretty soon you have body soup that you are frolicking in...nice vacation? Steam room anybody?
I have done summer in Vegas...I stay indoors as much as possible. I have never experienced 70's at night (maybe not even 80's), even in the wee hours.
Mar 22nd, 2005, 01:59 PM
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We were there in Aug a few years ago. Think of having your oven turned on and opening the door for a minute - that's what it FEELS like. We went to Circus Circus to the amusement area - at the time it had the largest indoor roller coaster in the county - I had to do it! Then we saw the log fume ride and did it, and got soaked! Soaked in some places can be a problem. Not in Vegas - we were dry within 10 minutes after going outside. The upside of it is that prices are cheaper in the summer, but I'm kinda surprised how many of us have actually been there in Aug. (We were actually thinking of moving there til then so we wanted to see what summer was like. My DH decided "nope"! It's THAT hot)
Mar 22nd, 2005, 03:18 PM
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We were there for 36 hours in early August 2 years ago. While average daily high may be around 100 degrees - official temps are taken in the shade - so add at least 10 degrees to that if you are in the sun.
If you want to see what it is like to breathe in that heat - stick your head in your oven for a few minutes (do not do this if you have a gas oven or long hair)
Pool closed at 6 PM - they want you to spend your money rather than sit by pool.
We tried to walk around Strip in the evening to see different hotels. We made it only a short distance before heat did us in.
Car rental pick-up and car itself had signs basically telling renters not to complain a/c was not working, since no a/c worked very well in temps over 100.
But people do live there without dropping dead - so it certainly is tolerable if you plan to spend most of your time in air conditioned places.
If you want to see what it is like to breathe in that heat - stick your head in your oven for a few minutes (do not do this if you have a gas oven or long hair)
Pool closed at 6 PM - they want you to spend your money rather than sit by pool.
We tried to walk around Strip in the evening to see different hotels. We made it only a short distance before heat did us in.
Car rental pick-up and car itself had signs basically telling renters not to complain a/c was not working, since no a/c worked very well in temps over 100.
But people do live there without dropping dead - so it certainly is tolerable if you plan to spend most of your time in air conditioned places.
Mar 22nd, 2005, 03:43 PM
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I have been to some really hot places...and I was also in LV last July, it was about 104. When we drove to Hoover Dam the car was reading 113. To be very honest, it was not that bad, there is no humidity.It is not sweltering...it's actually very tolerable. Even walking the dam was not bad! I have great hair days the entire trip. Everything is comfortably air conditioned, the pools are beautiful, and it cools off at night--It is nothing like Florida in August which is completely unbearable. We are going again this July, since we had so much fun.
Mar 22nd, 2005, 04:09 PM
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I was in Las Vegas a couple of years ago in August. The temps were 112 - 114 every day.
We were fine until we got into our friends black convertible.
If you go to a pool, you will be dry seconds after you get out of the water, you need to drink plenty of water and don't stay in the sun for very long, as you will get sunstroke and that is no fun.
The casinos are overly air conditioned so bring a light sweater.
I love Las Vegas, regardless of what time of year
We were fine until we got into our friends black convertible.
If you go to a pool, you will be dry seconds after you get out of the water, you need to drink plenty of water and don't stay in the sun for very long, as you will get sunstroke and that is no fun.
The casinos are overly air conditioned so bring a light sweater.
I love Las Vegas, regardless of what time of year
Mar 23rd, 2005, 06:53 AM
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Regarding the dry heat vs. wet heat - it does make a difference, but once the temperatures get above around 105F, no lack of humidity will make you comfortable. It's just hot and there's no way around it.
The humidity issue really comes into play when temperatures are between around 85 and 105F. 90F in a non-humid area is just fine as long as you aren't running a marathon at high noon. 90F in a humid area can be pretty tough.
The humidity issue really comes into play when temperatures are between around 85 and 105F. 90F in a non-humid area is just fine as long as you aren't running a marathon at high noon. 90F in a humid area can be pretty tough.
Mar 23rd, 2005, 08:21 AM
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Ever been to hell?
I moved to Las Vegas in August and it was 115 the day I arrived. Yuck. Patrick had it right - it's almost guaranteed to be above 100 every day, pushing into the 110-115 area. Even at midnight, it's usually hovering around 90.
Car tips.... If you'll have one with leather seating, make sure you have some towels to sit on. Nothing hurts more than searing leather hitting the back of your legs. Never park on the top of a parking garage. Don't leave anything in the car that you don't want melted, evaporated, or exploded.
With that out of the way, do as the locals do... Don't go anywhere that doesn't have air conditioning and scurry from shadow to shadow, never letting the sun hit you directly.
Seriously, everything is air conditioned, so you should be okay unless you plan on spending a lot of time outside. As others have said, just make sure and bring a really great sunscreen and enjoy yourself!
I moved to Las Vegas in August and it was 115 the day I arrived. Yuck. Patrick had it right - it's almost guaranteed to be above 100 every day, pushing into the 110-115 area. Even at midnight, it's usually hovering around 90.
Car tips.... If you'll have one with leather seating, make sure you have some towels to sit on. Nothing hurts more than searing leather hitting the back of your legs. Never park on the top of a parking garage. Don't leave anything in the car that you don't want melted, evaporated, or exploded.
With that out of the way, do as the locals do... Don't go anywhere that doesn't have air conditioning and scurry from shadow to shadow, never letting the sun hit you directly.
Seriously, everything is air conditioned, so you should be okay unless you plan on spending a lot of time outside. As others have said, just make sure and bring a really great sunscreen and enjoy yourself!
Mar 23rd, 2005, 08:39 AM
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I went in August and we made the mistake of walking down the strip, thinking we could take a cab back. But traffic was at a standstill. We needed to get back so we had to walk in with all the exhaust fumes from the cars for blocks. It was worse than Florida, no doubt about it, it was really awful. The monorail would be an important factor to consider (it was not yet in operation during our trip) because you could use it.
Mar 23rd, 2005, 12:46 PM
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It's so hot that when you walk outside the heat actually hits you like a huge blanket of dry air - it almost feels like you can't breathe, because it is so hot and dry.
I HATE Las Vegas in the summertime because of this. My skin gets really, really dry (worse than during the winter here in New England!), and the air is so still that it feels suffocating (to me, anyway).
Yes, you go from air-conditioned place to air-conditioned place, but there's enough time "in between" to really be uncomfortable. The walk from your car into a casino, for instance, is likely to be the equivalent of several city blocks of walking. Waiting outside for a bus or taxi will be awful as well.
Don't leave anything you value in your car - cameras (especially digital ones) can be ruined by heat. (This is true in every region, but it happens faster in LV!) Groceries can practically spoil on the way home from the grocery or market (don't even ask about the whipped-cream-topped pie from Marie Callendar's). Sunglasses can melt and warp. CD's can warp right in the player.
Trying to do anything outside (even something as great as watching the "Fountains or Bellagio" at night) can be uncomfortable. In my experience, the temps have NEVER gone down into the 70's during my summer visits to Las Vegas. 90's are more realistic.
My sister-in-law once wouldn't let my nephew go out to play with his brand-new kite (that we brought for him) because "it was too cold outside" - it was the end of April and 83 degrees outside! Her perspective is, of course, skewed by living in LV, where the 80's is considered "sweater weather" because everyone is so used to hot-hot-hot.
Would I go in summer? Yes, but it wouldn't be my first choice...
Gayle
I HATE Las Vegas in the summertime because of this. My skin gets really, really dry (worse than during the winter here in New England!), and the air is so still that it feels suffocating (to me, anyway).
Yes, you go from air-conditioned place to air-conditioned place, but there's enough time "in between" to really be uncomfortable. The walk from your car into a casino, for instance, is likely to be the equivalent of several city blocks of walking. Waiting outside for a bus or taxi will be awful as well.
Don't leave anything you value in your car - cameras (especially digital ones) can be ruined by heat. (This is true in every region, but it happens faster in LV!) Groceries can practically spoil on the way home from the grocery or market (don't even ask about the whipped-cream-topped pie from Marie Callendar's). Sunglasses can melt and warp. CD's can warp right in the player.
Trying to do anything outside (even something as great as watching the "Fountains or Bellagio" at night) can be uncomfortable. In my experience, the temps have NEVER gone down into the 70's during my summer visits to Las Vegas. 90's are more realistic.
My sister-in-law once wouldn't let my nephew go out to play with his brand-new kite (that we brought for him) because "it was too cold outside" - it was the end of April and 83 degrees outside! Her perspective is, of course, skewed by living in LV, where the 80's is considered "sweater weather" because everyone is so used to hot-hot-hot.
Would I go in summer? Yes, but it wouldn't be my first choice...
Gayle
Mar 23rd, 2005, 12:53 PM
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jbee, Yes!
(see Scarlett Goes to Hell)
Tandoori Girl, that is the one thing that I do not love, walking out at 10 or 11 pm and it is still terribly hot! You just expect some relief when the sun goes down..but noooo, not in Las Vegas!
How hot is it in Tampa today?
It is about 80 here in Jax
(see Scarlett Goes to Hell)
Tandoori Girl, that is the one thing that I do not love, walking out at 10 or 11 pm and it is still terribly hot! You just expect some relief when the sun goes down..but noooo, not in Las Vegas!
How hot is it in Tampa today?
It is about 80 here in Jax
