Ask Vegas Vic: :

Is McCarran’s thermometer in the shade?

Answers to questions that baffle mankind

Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Hey Vic,

Is the thermometer at McCarran International Airport located in the shade?

Vegas Vic has heard conspiracy theorists speculate that the thermometer at the airport — the source of Las Vegas’ official temperature — was placed in a shady spot so it would give lower summertime readings. Too many triple-digit temps scare off the fanny-packers from Fargo, the theory goes.

Turns out the official thermometer is in the shade, but it needs to be to give an accurate reading, says Katie LaBelle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Las Vegas. Like all official temperature gauges, the thermometer at McCarran sits in a white vented shelter about five feet off the ground. The weather station is off the end of a runway, but not so close to it that passing aircraft alter its wind and temperature readings, LaBelle says.

Vents in the shelter allow air to freely circulate so the shaded gauge can accurately measure air temperature without the heat of direct sunlight.

“They’ve been doing it like that ever since our climate records began, going back to 1937,” says LaBelle’s weather service colleague, Barry Pierce.

Questions for Vegas Vic should be sent to page8@lasvegassun.com.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

By lrandall38

10/15/08 at 9:38 a.m.

Suggest removal

Anyone who has half a brain knows that the correct temperature is taken in the shade. That is the only true air temperature. You don't want the radiant heat from the sun on the thermometer.
By NevadaFive

12/1/08 at 4:22 p.m.

Suggest removal

I propose the official temperature be taken in Oscar Goodman's rectum.
By Fccfirstclass

12/2/08 at 6:19 a.m.

Suggest removal

Why not take the temperature in NevadaFive's rabid brain?