Las Vegas, NV — Nevada is shaping up for an unusually warm end to 2025, with long-range forecasts pointing to near-record heat across much of the state during the week of December 27 through January 2. As of Saturday, December 20, forecasters say a strong ridge of high pressure is expected to dominate the western United States, keeping colder winter air bottled up well north of the region.
The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center places Nevada in a zone with a high probability of above-normal temperatures, a signal that favors persistent warmth rather than typical late-December cold snaps.
In Las Vegas, where average highs late in December hover near 58 degrees, daytime temperatures could climb into the mid-60s or even low 70s during the holiday stretch. If realized, those readings would flirt with daily records and feel more like early spring than the heart of winter. Overnight lows are also expected to remain mild, reducing the chance of frost across the Las Vegas Valley.
Southern Nevada is expected to see the most pronounced warmth, though northern parts of the state may also trend above normal, especially during the daytime. The warm pattern could limit snowfall in higher elevations, an early concern for seasonal snowpack and water supply planning.
Looking ahead beyond New Year’s Day, the January 3–16, 2026 outlook continues to favor above-normal temperatures across Nevada, suggesting the mild pattern may persist into the first half of January before any sustained cooldown develops.
While the warmth may be welcomed by travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, officials remind residents that winter heat anomalies can have longer-term impacts on water resources and seasonal climate patterns.
