Las Vegas sits in the Mojave Desert and receives only around 110 mm (about 4 inches) of rain a year, one of the driest major cities in the country, but the surrounding valley’s hard, sun-baked desert soil and extensive paved surfaces mean that even brief, infrequent summer monsoon thunderstorms can cause severe, fast-moving flash flooding, since there’s essentially nowhere for sudden rain to soak in. The city has built an extensive underground flood-channel system specifically to manage these rare but dangerous events, some of which have proven deadly for people caught in normally-dry washes. Because a typical week involves zero rain, radar becomes critical during the brief summer monsoon window. NWS Doppler radar KESX (Las Vegas) covers the region.
Learn more: Flash Flood Warning Signs on Radar · Open the full Rain Map
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it raining in Las Vegas right now?
The live radar map above shows precipitation over Las Vegas, Nevada in real time. Blue shades indicate light rain, while yellow, orange, and red mark heavier downpours. If no colored echoes appear over Las Vegas, no significant rain is currently being detected.
How often does the Las Vegas rain radar update?
The radar refreshes continuously, typically every few minutes, so the map reflects current conditions rather than an hours-old forecast. Press play to animate the most recent frames.
Can I see if a storm is heading toward Las Vegas?
Yes. Press play on the radar to animate the last few hours of rainfall and watch which way rain cells over Nevada are moving – the clearest way to judge whether a shower will reach Las Vegas or pass by.
Is this Las Vegas rain radar free to use?
Yes, completely free – no account, app download, or sign-up required. It works in any browser on desktop and mobile.