The Best Time to Film Outdoors in Las Vegas, Month by Month
The light in Las Vegas is some of the best in the country, and the weather is some of the most extreme. We plan outdoor shoots in the valley every month of the year. This guide puts the official climate numbers, sunrise and sunset times and the seasonal risks in one place so you can pick a date that works.
Las Vegas month by month
Highs and lows are the National Weather Service 1991 to 2020 normals for Las Vegas. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month and include daylight saving time from March to early November. Use them as a planning guide and check the exact times for your date.
| Month | Normal high | Normal low | Sunrise | Sunset | Outdoor shoot verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 58.5°F | 40.5°F | 6:51 am | 4:49 pm | Good. Short days, cold mornings |
| February | 62.9°F | 44.1°F | 6:28 am | 5:21 pm | Good. Light gets longer |
| March | 71.1°F | 50.5°F | 6:51 am | 6:48 pm | Excellent |
| April | 78.5°F | 56.9°F | 6:07 am | 7:14 pm | Excellent, but windy |
| May | 88.5°F | 66.1°F | 5:34 am | 7:39 pm | Good mornings, hot afternoons |
| June | 99.4°F | 75.8°F | 5:23 am | 7:59 pm | Dawn and dusk only |
| July | 104.5°F | 82.0°F | 5:35 am | 7:57 pm | Dawn only. Monsoon storms |
| August | 102.8°F | 80.6°F | 5:59 am | 7:30 pm | Dawn only. Monsoon storms |
| September | 94.9°F | 72.4°F | 6:23 am | 6:47 pm | Mornings. Monsoon ends Sept 30 |
| October | 81.2°F | 59.6°F | 6:47 am | 6:04 pm | Excellent |
| November | 67.1°F | 47.3°F | 6:17 am | 4:32 pm | Excellent |
| December | 56.9°F | 39.6°F | 6:44 am | 4:27 pm | Good. Shortest days of the year |
Summer: film at dawn, not at noon
From June through September the normal high is close to or above 95°F, and the July normal is 104.5°F. That heat changes how a shoot runs, not whether it can happen.
- Call time before sunrise. In mid June the sun is up around 5:23 am. We call the crew about 45 minutes earlier so the first frame is the best light of the day.
- Wrap exteriors by mid morning. After about 10 am the light gets hard, shadows go black and talent starts to show the heat. Move inside for interviews, product and detail work.
- Protect people first. Shade, cold water and short takes for anyone on camera. Makeup needs touch ups between every setup.
- Protect the gear. Cameras, monitors and phones overheat in direct sun. Keep cases closed and in the shade, and swap batteries before they get hot.
- Use the evening. Golden hour in June starts a little after 7:20 pm and the sun sets near 8:00 pm. A short evening block is often worth more than a full afternoon.
Spring: the light is perfect, the wind is not
According to the National Weather Service, April is the windiest month in Las Vegas with a mean wind speed of 10.0 mph, followed by June at 9.9 mph and May at 9.8 mph. December and January are the calmest at 6.3 mph. Average numbers hide the gusts, and gusts are what ruin takes.
- Audio: use lavalier microphones with wind protection, or move dialogue indoors.
- Hair, wardrobe and props: plan styling that still looks right in a breeze, and weigh down anything light.
- Drones: every aircraft has a wind limit, and Las Vegas airspace has its own rules. Our Las Vegas drone laws guide covers the airspace side.
Monsoon season: June 15 to September 30
Monsoon season in the Las Vegas valley runs from June 15 through September 30. Storms build fast in the afternoon and can bring heavy rain, flash flooding, strong gusts, lightning, dust and sometimes hail. Most monsoon days are still dry, but the risk is real enough to plan for.
- Schedule exteriors in the morning, when storms are less likely to have formed.
- Build a weather day into the agreement for any shoot that depends on outdoor locations.
- Watch the forecast from the National Weather Service in Las Vegas the week of the shoot, and keep an indoor backup location ready.
- Never set up in washes or low crossings when storms are forecast anywhere in the valley.
Winter: short days and soft light
Winter in Las Vegas is mild for most of the country, with December highs near 57°F and lows near 40°F. The constraint is daylight. In mid December the sun sets around 4:27 pm, so golden hour starts before 4 pm. A winter exterior day is shorter, which suits headshots, lifestyle and real estate work that needs only a few hours of daylight. Cold mornings also mean talent needs warm layers between takes.
How we choose a date
- Start with what you need to get. A sunrise hero shot of the Strip and a patio lifestyle shoot have different best months.
- Check the light. We map sunrise, sunset and the sun direction for each location before we lock the day.
- Check the calendar. Large conventions and event weekends change traffic, hotel rates and location access. Our Las Vegas filming permits guide covers lead times.
- Hold a backup. For spring wind and monsoon season we hold a second date or an indoor plan.
If your date is fixed, we plan the schedule around the weather instead. Most of our summer shoots happen exactly that way.
Video narration
Read what the video says
Planning a shoot in Las Vegas? The light is incredible, and the weather is extreme.
The easiest months are March, April, October and November, with highs from the upper sixties to the low eighties. From June through September, highs climb toward a hundred.
In summer, start at sunrise. In mid June the sun is up around five twenty, and the best light is gone by six. Wrap your exteriors by mid morning.
Then plan around three things.
Spring wind, with April the windiest month. Monsoon storms from June fifteenth to September thirtieth. And July highs that average a hundred and four.
Pick the right month, keep a backup day, and the desert gives you its best light. Picture Perfect Video.
Common questions
What is the best month for an outdoor photo shoot in Las Vegas?
March, April, October and November. Normal highs range from about 67°F to 81°F, the light is clean and storms are rare. April is the windiest month, so plan for gusts.
Can you film outdoors in Las Vegas in the summer?
Yes. Start before sunrise, film exteriors until about 10 am, move inside for the hottest hours and use the short golden hour before sunset. The normal July high is 104.5°F, so shade, water and short takes matter.
When is monsoon season in Las Vegas?
June 15 to September 30. Afternoon storms can bring heavy rain, flash flooding, dust and strong gusts, so schedule outdoor work in the morning and keep a backup day.
When is golden hour in Las Vegas?
It depends on the date. In mid June evening golden hour starts around 7:20 pm with sunset near 8:00 pm. In mid December it starts before 4 pm with sunset near 4:27 pm. Check the exact time for your shoot date.
What is the windiest month in Las Vegas?
April, with a mean wind speed of 10.0 mph according to the National Weather Service. June and May follow closely.
We plan around the weather.
Tell us the date, the locations and what you need to capture. We build the schedule around the light, the heat and the forecast.
Book a free callOr email charles@pictureperfectvideo.com
Related reading
Sources checked October 17, 2026: National Weather Service Las Vegas temperature normals and mean wind speed and windiest months; NWS Las Vegas 1991 to 2020 normals; KTNV on monsoon season dates and hazards. Sunrise and sunset times calculated for the 15th of each month in 2026 with standard solar position formulas.