[AZmama13]

Hello! My husband and I are considering a job offer which would require our family to relocate to Las Vegas. I've been searching and reading through a lot of the great info on this site, which has been very helpful. We currently live in Tucson, AZ and love it (even the summers) so I'm not terribly concerned about the climate (although I do think your temps are slightly higher, more similar to Phoenix, correct me if I'm wrong). As I sit here listening to the thunder of an afternoon monsoon rolling through town, it occurred to me that I'm not sure if the Mojave Desert has a monsoon season like our Sonoran Desert. What can you tell me about your monsoons? Does anybody out there have any experience with southern AZ that could give a direct comparison? It really doesn't affect our decision (although we do love this time of year here), I'm really just curious. Thanks!

[monstersizin]

We just got a couple hours of rain as well. Now it is sunny and acted as if it was never here...except for the increased humidity.

I think our monsoons are not as frequently as Tucsons. However, some summers we get hit pretty heavy and leave people in awe.

Should be a fairly easy transition.

[Clarkcty]

Today I was gardening at my family's home in the NW and there was a very brief downpour, less than 5 minutes enough to increase humidity while I was out in the yard. Perhaps Mt.Charleston got some rain as well, it definitely needs it.

[logline]

I used to live in Tucson. Although the climates are very similar, I remember way more rain and lightning storms in Tucson than Vegas when it comes to Monsoon season. That makes more sense geographically too.

[monstersizin]

Originally Posted by logline

I used to live in Tucson. Although the climates are very similar, I remember way more rain and lightning storms in Tucson than Vegas when it comes to Monsoon season. That makes more sense geographically too.

Yeah, I looked up statistics and basically LV averages about .45 an inch in July and August. Meanwhile Tucson is around 2 inches during those months.

[NLVgal]

Yeah, the unfortunate thing is that we tend to get half our annual rainfall in a five minute span. Had a thunderstorm this morning. It was beautiful. There is nothing like the smell of the desert after a good rain.

If only our drivers would learn to slow down when it rains.

[Buzz123]

I heard the thunder very early this morning and the dogs let me know by vibrating the bed with their shaking. But I don't think we got a drop of rain.

Phoenix is usually 5º to 10º hotter than Las Vegas, and AZ gets more rain. I thought Tucson was the same as Phoenix? Maybe you're higher in elevation?

[Raiderman]

Poured for about 20 minutes here in Henderson. Then about 20 minutes after that it was dry. That works for me!

[AZmama13]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

I heard the thunder very early this morning and the dogs let me know by vibrating the bed with their shaking. But I don't think we got a drop of rain.

Phoenix is usually 5º to 10º hotter than Las Vegas, and AZ gets more rain. I thought Tucson was the same as Phoenix? Maybe you're higher in elevation?

We're also usually about 5-10 degrees cooler than Phoenix, and yes we're a little bit higher in elevation. I've only been paying attention to LV weather for the past few weeks but you guys have been up there with Phoenix in all of the the heat warnings and such. Let's face it, when it's over 110 it all feels about the same.

Either way, thanks for the info everybody! It sounds like your monsoons aren't quite as dramatic but it's good to know that you do get some rain.

Another question though - When does it start to cool off? In Tucson it's not unusual to still be around 100 degrees in early October. This tends to be the only time of the year that I do get a little annoyed by the heat because the rest of the country is celebrating the fall weather.

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by AZmama13

We're also usually about 5-10 degrees cooler than Phoenix, and yes we're a little bit higher in elevation. I've only been paying attention to LV weather for the past few weeks but you guys have been up there with Phoenix in all of the the heat warnings and such. Let's face it, when it's over 110 it all feels about the same.

Either way, thanks for the info everybody! It sounds like your monsoons aren't quite as dramatic but it's good to know that you do get some rain.

Another question though - When does it start to cool off? In Tucson it's not unusual to still be around 100 degrees in early October. This tends to be the only time of the year that I do get a little annoyed by the heat because the rest of the country is celebrating the fall weather.

Last 100 degree high usually is no later than September 10th, but often earlier. Tucson is noticeably warmer in winter than Vegas. That probably will be your main adjustment