Las Vegas in May
Normal high 89°F, normal low 66°F (NOAA 1991-2020)
- Normal high
- 88.5°F (1991-2020)
- Normal low
- 66.1°F (1991-2020)
- Normal average temperature
- 77.3°F
- Normal precipitation
- 0.07 in
- Record high
- 109°F on May 28, 2003 (most recent occurrence)
- Record low
- 38°F on May 3, 1942
- Days of 90°F or warmer
- 15.9 in a normal May
- Days of 100°F or warmer
- 2.8 in a normal May
- Major recurring event
- EDC Las Vegas: May 14-16 and 21-23, 2027, Las Vegas Motor Speedway
About
May is the month Las Vegas heats up. The 1991-2020 normals for Harry Reid International Airport give an average high of 88.5°F and an average low of 66.1°F, ten degrees warmer than April. About half the days in a normal May reach 90°F or more (15.9 on average), and the first 100°F days usually arrive, with 2.8 in a normal May. The hottest May reading on record is 109°F, most recently on May 28, 2003.
It is also one of the driest months. Normal May precipitation is just 0.07 inches. With low humidity and strong sun, the heat can feel deceptively comfortable while still dehydrating you. The National Weather Service notes that spring's strong winds can linger as late as early June.
Evenings are warm and pleasant, with normal lows in the mid-60s. By late May the pattern starts to look like summer, so plan strenuous outdoor activities, such as hiking, for the morning.
What to expect
EDC Las Vegas, Insomniac's Electric Daisy Carnival, is at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. For 2027 the organisers list two weekends: May 14-16 and May 21-23. Check the official site for tickets, transport and festival rules.
The World Series of Poker has started at the end of May in recent years. In 2025 it ran from May 27 to July 16 at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas. The 2027 schedule had not been published on wsop.com when this page was checked.
The months either side
Plan the trip
Good to know
- Start treating the heat seriously. SNHD advises drinking water even before you feel thirsty, limiting alcohol, and wearing lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a hat.
- Plan outdoor activity for the morning or evening. A normal May has nearly three days of 100°F or more.
- Never leave children or pets in a parked car. SNHD warns the temperature inside can be much higher than outdoors, even with the windows open.
- Pack sunscreen. SNHD recommends a high SPF to protect against sunburn.
Questions about Las Vegas in May
How hot is Las Vegas in May?
NOAA's 1991-2020 normals for Harry Reid International Airport give an average May high of 88.5°F and an average low of 66.1°F. A normal May has about 16 days at 90°F or warmer and nearly three at 100°F or warmer. The May record is 109°F, most recently on May 28, 2003, and the record low is 38°F from 1942.
When is EDC Las Vegas 2027?
The organisers list EDC Las Vegas 2027 across two weekends, May 14-16 and May 21-23, at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. The festival is held at the speedway in the northeast of the valley, well away from the Strip, so check lasvegas.edc.com for tickets, transport options and festival rules before you book.
Does it rain in Las Vegas in May?
Hardly. The normal precipitation for May at Harry Reid International Airport is 0.07 inches over the whole month, based on NOAA's 1991-2020 normals. Rain is rare enough that heat, sun and wind are the weather to plan for, not storms.
Is it too hot to hike near Las Vegas in May?
It depends on timing. By late May highs often reach the 90s and occasionally 100°F at the airport. SNHD advises limiting outdoor activity to early morning or evening hours during heat, carrying water and a phone, and taking breaks in the shade. Start early and turn back if you feel unwell.
When does the World Series of Poker start?
In recent years the WSOP has begun at the end of May. The 2025 series ran from May 27 to July 16 at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas on the Strip. Dates for the 2027 series had not been published on wsop.com at the time this page was checked.