If you’re planning a trip to Nevada over Memorial Day, get ready for warm days, loads of sunshine, and honestly, some pretty big differences depending on where you end up. Usually, daytime highs hit the 80s to low 90s in southern Nevada, but up north in places like Reno and Elko, it stays cooler—think 60s to 70s. Nights can surprise you with a chill, especially if you’re up in the mountains, so pack some layers.
You’ll probably see mostly clear skies, and rain? Not much of a concern in most areas. Las Vegas tends to deliver dry, hot afternoons that are perfect for hanging by the pool. Reno and the northern valleys? They can get breezy, and now and then, you might get a quick spring shower.
Memorial Day falls right when Nevada gets some of its longest daylight hours, so you have extra time to enjoy being outside before the real summer heat shows up. Whether you’re heading for the desert, the mountains, or the city, knowing these trends helps you plan better.
Typical Memorial Day Weather in Nevada
Most years, Memorial Day in Nevada brings warm afternoons, cool nights, and barely any rain. The weather honestly depends a lot on whether you’re in the south, north, or up in the mountains.
Overview of Statewide Conditions
Late May in Nevada usually means dry air and lots of sun. Rain doesn’t show up much, especially in southern spots like Las Vegas where the whole month only gets about half an inch of measurable rain. Northern areas like Reno or Elko might see a little more, but totals still stay pretty low.
You’ll get over 14 hours of daylight, which makes it easy to plan outdoor stuff. Winds often pick up in the afternoons, especially in open valleys or near mountain passes. Those breezes can cool things off in the evening, even after a hot day.
Humidity stays low everywhere. Muggy air? Not really a thing here, so even the hotter days feel more tolerable than in humid places.
Temperature Ranges Across Regions
Temperatures change a lot depending on where you are in Nevada. In Las Vegas, Memorial Day highs usually land in the mid-80s to low 90s °F, and nights drop into the 60s. That’s warm enough for pool time but not as intense as July or August.
In Reno, you’ll see highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s °F. Nights fall into the 40s or 50s, so you’ll probably want a jacket if you’re out late. Reno’s weather warms up fast during the day but cools quickly once the sun goes down.
Elko and other northeastern spots stay cooler. Highs are often in the 70s, and lows can dip into the 30s or 40s. If you’re camping or spending evenings outside, bring warm clothes—those nights get chilly even after sunny afternoons.
Weather Differences by Elevation
Elevation really shapes Memorial Day weather here. The southern desert valleys sit lower and heat up fast, so by late May, it already feels like summer. Expect hot afternoons and mild evenings.
Mid-elevation cities, like Reno, see bigger swings between day and night temps. The thinner air lets the heat escape quickly after sunset, so even warm afternoons can turn into cool nights.
Head up into the mountains—think Sierra Nevada or Ruby Mountains—and it stays much cooler. Sometimes snow still lingers on the highest peaks. Daytime highs stick to the 50s or 60s °F, and nights can get close to freezing. If you’re visiting, layers are a must.
Regional Weather Patterns Around Memorial Day
Nevada’s temperatures really depend on where you are. Southern parts get hot and dry, while the north and northeast stay cooler and can still see spring storms. These differences matter if you’re planning to be outside.
Las Vegas and Southern Nevada
In Las Vegas and the Mojave Desert, Memorial Day feels like summer’s already here. Highs often reach the mid-90s °F, and sometimes it even pushes toward 100°F. Nights cool off into the low 60s, but the heat comes back fast after sunrise.
Rain barely happens now, and skies stay mostly clear. The humidity is super low, which makes the heat less sticky but also means you can get dehydrated fast. Winds can pick up in the afternoons, helping a bit with the heat but sometimes kicking up dust.
If you’ll be outside, early mornings and evenings feel best. Pools, shade, and air conditioning help a lot during the hottest hours.
Reno and Northern Nevada
Reno and the western foothills of the Sierra Nevada get milder weather in late May. Highs usually stick to the low to mid-70s °F, and nights can drop into the 40s. The air feels crisp, and you’ll probably want a light jacket at night.
This area still gets quick spring showers or a random thunderstorm. Rain doesn’t last long, but storms can bring gusty winds and a sudden chill. Most days, though, are clear and comfortable for outdoor plans.
You’ll notice the landscape looks greener than in the south, and you might spot snow on the high Sierra peaks. Memorial Day in Reno feels more like late spring than full-on summer.
Elko and Northeastern Nevada
Elko and the Great Basin region stay cooler than the rest of Nevada on Memorial Day weekend. Highs run from the upper 60s to low 70s °F, and at night, it can drop into the mid-30s or low 40s. Sometimes frost still shows up in some valleys.
Showers and thunderstorms happen more often here than in the south or west. These storms can bring quick downpours, a bit of hail, and sudden wind changes. Skies usually clear up fast after, leaving behind cooler air.
Thanks to the higher elevation, the sun feels strong even when the air isn’t that warm. If you’re doing stuff outside, bring layers and be ready for both sunshine and shifting weather.
Temperature Trends and Extremes
Memorial Day in Nevada brings a big mix of temperatures depending on where you are and how high up. Southern spots like Las Vegas get hot afternoons, while places like Reno and Elko stay milder, especially after dark.
Average Highs and Lows
Late May brings warm to hot afternoons in the south, but things stay milder up north. In Las Vegas, average highs hit about 90°F, with lows near 66°F. Reno sees highs around 72°F and lows near 44°F. Elko is cooler, with highs close to 69°F and nighttime lows around 39°F.
This range really shows off Nevada’s wild geography. The lower desert valleys heat up quickly, but higher elevations keep that spring chill longer. If you’re out and about, expect hot afternoons in southern Nevada, but keep a light jacket handy up north for those cool mornings and nights.
Record Temperatures in May
May can get pretty extreme. Down south, triple-digit highs over 100°F aren’t rare by the end of the month. Las Vegas has even seen temps above 105°F in late May.
Up north, places like Elko and Reno have sometimes dropped near freezing during late spring nights. Nevada’s May weather can swing a lot, thanks to its deserts and mountain ranges.
When you visit for Memorial Day, you’re more likely to run into record heat in the south. The north, though, can pull a surprise cold morning. It’s smart to prep for both, especially if you’re traveling between regions.
Nighttime vs. Daytime Temperatures
One thing about Nevada’s climate—it’s got a huge daily temperature swing. Around Memorial Day, daytime highs and nighttime lows can differ by 30°F or more, especially in the deserts.
You might see a 90°F afternoon in Las Vegas, then wake up to the mid-60s. In Elko, a mild 69°F day can become a chilly upper 30s night.
That big swing matters for comfort and what you pack. You’ll want light clothes for daytime, but a sweater or jacket once the sun’s gone. The dry air cools things fast at night, so evenings can feel way colder than you’d expect after a hot day.
Precipitation and Sky Conditions
Late May usually means dry air, bright skies, and not much rain in Nevada. The southern deserts stay driest, while the northern valleys can get a bit more unsettled.
Chances of Rain or Storms
Rain doesn’t show up often around Memorial Day. In Las Vegas, May brings less than 0.2 inches of rain for the whole month, and maybe 1 day with measurable precipitation. Your holiday plans probably won’t get rained out.
In Reno, May averages about 0.6 inches of rain over 3–4 wet days. While storms aren’t common, you might hit a quick shower, especially late in the day.
The Elko area in the northeast gets about 1.3 inches of rain in May, spread over 6 days. Thunderstorms can happen here, but they’re usually short and scattered. If you’re up in higher elevations, you might see a bit more rain.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine
Nevada’s skies stay mostly clear in late May. In Las Vegas, you’ll get clear or mostly clear skies more than 75% of the time. That’s great for outdoor stuff and sightseeing.
Up north, Reno gets clear skies about 63% of the month. You’ll see more clouds than in Las Vegas, but sunshine still wins out.
Elko sees clear or partly cloudy skies about 58% of the time in May. You might notice more clouds in the mornings or evenings, but long sunny stretches are still pretty normal.
Humidity Levels
Nevada’s dry air really stands out in late May. In Las Vegas, dew points rarely go above 40–45°F, so even when it’s hot, the air stays crisp and comfortable. No muggy days here.
Reno and Elko keep humidity low too, though the cooler nights can feel even drier. Dew points usually sit in the 30s to low 40s, which keeps skies clear and the air fresh.
Travelers can count on very low humidity statewide, making outdoor plans way more enjoyable than in sticky parts of the country.
Wind and Other Weather Factors
Memorial Day weather in Nevada usually brings warm temps, dry air, and all kinds of wind. Breezes can feel nice in the desert heat, but stronger gusts sometimes make being outside less fun. Wind, bright sun, and low humidity are what you’ll notice most this time of year.
Typical Wind Speeds and Gusts
In late May, wind speeds in Nevada usually fall between 8 and 15 mph, but it really depends on where you are. Las Vegas often gets lighter breezes, while places like Reno or Elko up north catch a bit more wind.
Afternoons tend to bring the strongest gusts. You might see winds hit 20, 22, or even 25 mph in those wide-open desert valleys.
After sunset, winds usually settle down, making evenings feel a lot more comfortable.
Dust sometimes becomes a problem when the wind picks up, especially out in the rural spots. In southern Nevada, strong gusts can kick up sand along highways or near dry lake beds, which honestly isn’t fun if you’re driving.
Northern Nevada sits higher up, so when winds blow, you might feel a chill even if the temperature seems mild.
Here’s a quick look at how average late-spring winds stack up:
| Location | Average Speed | Common Gusts |
|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | 8–12 mph | 20–22 mph |
| Reno | 10–15 mph | 20–25 mph |
| Elko | 9–14 mph | 20–24 mph |
Impact on Outdoor Activities
If you’re heading out to hike, picnic, or catch a concert, get ready for breezy afternoons. Light winds feel nice, but when the gusts pick up, setting up a tent or umbrella can get tricky.
Poolside fun in Las Vegas usually goes undisturbed since hotel courtyards block most of the wind. Northern Nevada camping is a different story, though, and you’ll want to stake down your tent unless you like chasing it.
Cyclists and runners will probably notice headwinds or crosswinds, especially on open stretches of road. Wind can stir up pollen and dust, which isn’t great if you have allergies.
Photography and sightseeing work out fine most days, but sometimes dust haze blurs the view at places like Red Rock Canyon or Great Basin National Park. If you go out in the morning or evening, you’ll usually find calmer, clearer conditions.
Daylight Hours and Seasonal Changes
Late May brings long days to Nevada, with early sunrises and sunsets that stretch late into the evening. You can really feel the shift as spring edges into summer, and those extra daylight hours make planning outdoor stuff a lot easier.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Around Memorial Day, sunrise in southern Nevada—Las Vegas, for example—shows up close to 5:30 a.m. Sunset rolls around about 7:45 to 8:00 p.m. That gives you a ton of daylight to work with.
Up north in Reno and Elko, the sun comes up a bit earlier, usually just after 5:20 a.m., and sets later, closer to 8:15 p.m. That extra daylight comes from being farther north than Las Vegas.
These long days mean you can hike, sightsee, or hit the road without needing headlights until pretty late. If you’re driving across Nevada, count on bright conditions for most of your trip, which sure makes things easier.
Sunrise and sunset shift by a few minutes every day. By early June, daylight lasts even longer, peaking right around the summer solstice.
Length of Daylight
Daylight hours in Nevada around Memorial Day usually hit 14 to 14.5 hours, depending on where you are. Las Vegas gets about 14.2 hours of sunlight, while Reno and Elko come closer to 14.6 hours.
As spring rolls into late May, you’ll notice the days keep stretching out. That’s your sign summer’s almost here, and honestly, Nevada’s kind of famous for those long, bright days.
Nights feel a lot shorter now, with darkness sticking around just 9 to 10 hours. You might even lose track of time outside.
Southern Nevada’s skies stay mostly clear, so you can count on plenty of sun. If you’re heading out for a hike, planning a park visit, or catching an evening event, you won’t have to race the sunset.
Up north, the longer days kick off the growing season. Down south, though, folks are already living in summer mode.