Community delivers cooler temperatures, valley views

Ever wonder why the temperature in Summerlin, as reported by news media meteorologists, is generally slightly cooler than the rest of the valley? That’s because the community sits on higher ground, literally.

Nestled along the edges of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, some areas of the community top out around 3,500 feet above sea level with points as high as 4,000 feet above sea level. The newer, developing areas of the community located in the western region above the 215 Beltway are proof positive of the higher elevation, offering sweeping and commanding views of the entire valley from vantage points throughout the area.

“Summerlin’s higher elevation is evident even driving east along the lower portions of Summerlin Parkway,” said Danielle Bisterfeldt, senior vice president of marketing and consumer experience for Summerlin. “From there, drivers still have a view of the valley and the Las Vegas Strip to the east.”

The elevation of Summerlin contributes to the community’s exceptional and signature quality of life by delivering year-round cooler temperatures and slightly more precipitation, which supports a greater variety of naturally occurring flora and fauna. “But it’s the community’s abundant views that resonate most with residents and visitors,” Bisterfeldt said.

Astra, Summerlin’s newest custom home enclave, sits at 4,000 feet above sea level and holds the distinction of being the highest point in the valley on which homes will be built.

On average, the temperature falls roughly 3.5 degrees for every 1,000-foot increase in elevation, according to the National Weather Service. That means Summerlin experiences cooler temperatures year-round compared with other parts of the valley, particularly the valley’s east side, where elevation averages between 1,500 and 2,000 feet above sea level.

According to the National Weather Service, temperatures can vary by more than 7 to 10 degrees from one side of the valley to the other, and the elevation of locations such as Harry Reid International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip are about 2,000 to 2,200 feet above sea level, making parts of Summerlin cooler than the center of the valley by as much as 5 to 7 degrees.

During the valley’s occasional winter storms, Summerlin is likely to get a bigger dusting of snow, particularly along its higher benches. A rarity here in Las Vegas, snow is often celebrated by local news media members who flock to Summerlin to document kids building snowmen and riding sleds on epic snow days.

“Summerlin’s elevation is so much higher than the rest of the valley, meaning spectacular viewsheds can be found throughout the community, even in lower lying areas,” Bisterfeldt said. “The land on which Summerlin sits is naturally beautiful, and its higher elevation is just one more point of distinction.”

Now, in its 36th year of development, Summerlin offers more amenities than any other Southern Nevada community. They include 10 golf courses; 26 public, private and charter schools; Roseman University College of Medicine, a public library and performing arts center; Summerlin Hospital Medical Center; more than a dozen houses of worship representing multiple faiths; office parks and neighborhood shopping centers.

Downtown Summerlin offers fashion, dining, entertainment, Red Rock Resort and office buildings. City National Arena is home of the Vegas Golden Knights’ practice facility. The Las Vegas Ballpark is a world-class Triple-A baseball stadium and home of the Las Vegas Aviators.

Summerlin offers over 110 floor plans in more than 20 neighborhoods throughout seven distinct villages and districts. Homes, built by many of the nation’s top homebuilders, are available in a variety of styles — from single-family homes to townhomes, priced from the $400,000s to more than $1 million.

For information on all actively selling neighborhoods, visit Summerlin.com. Before you visit, call the builders for their hours of operation. Phone numbers for each neighborhood are listed on the website.