Cement Mason Apprentice - Working Conditions

(SOUTHERN NEVADA)

Concrete work is fast-paced and strenuous, and requires continuous physical effort.  Because most finishing is done at floor level, workers must bend and kneel often.  Many jobs are outdoors, and work is generally halted during inclement weather.  The work, either indoors or outdoors, may be in areas that are muddy, dusty, or dirty.  To avoid chemical burns from uncured concrete and sore knees from frequent kneeling, many workers wear kneepads.  Workers usually also wear water-repellent boots while working in wet concrete.

LAS VEGAS WEATHER IS HOT!!!

Las Vegas, Nevada Weather Characteristics.  The four seasons are actually well defined in Las Vegas., although they differ from the traditional view of seasonal variation.  Summers display classic desert southwest characteristics.  Daily high temperatures typically exceed 100 degrees with lows in the 70s.  The summer heat is tempered somewhat by the extremely low relative humidity.  However, it is not uncommon for humidity to increase markedly for several weeks each summer in association with a moist "monsoonal flow" from the south, typically during July and August.  Aside from increasing the discomfort level, these moist winds also support the development of spectacular desert thunderstorms, which are frequently associated with significant flash flooding and/or strong downburst winds.

Winters overall, are mild and pleasant.  Afternoon temperatures average near 60 degrees and skies are mostly clear.  Pacific storms occasionally produce rainfall in Las Vegas, but in general, the Sierra Nevada Mountains of eastern California and the Spring Mountains immediately west of the Las Vegas Valley act as effective barriers to moisture.
Snow accumulation is rare in Las Vegas.  Flurries are observed once or twice during most winters, but snowfall of an inch or more occurs only once every four to five years.  However, freezing temperatures do occur with some regularity.  Based on the 1961-90 period of record, the average first occurrence of 32 degrees in the fall is November 25; the average last occurrence is February 28.

The spring and fall seasons are generally considered ideal.  Although rather sharp temperature changes can occur during these months, outdoor activities are seldom hampered.  Strong winds are arguably the most persistent and provoking weather hazard experienced in the area.  Winds over 50 mph are infrequent but can occur with some of the more vigorous storms.  Winter and spring wind events often generate widespread areas of blowing dust and sand.  Strong wind episodes in the summertime are usually connected with thunderstorms, and are thus more isolated and localized.  Prevailing wind direction is typically either southwest or north, unless associated with a thunderstorm outflow.

Monthly Normals for Las Vegas, Nevada
Period of Record: 1971-2000

Season Total

All units of measurement in the above table are defined as follows:
Temperatures are in Degrees Fahrenheit
Precipitation is in inches.

(NORTHERN NEVADA)

Reno, Nevada Weather Characteristics.  Reno is a high desert set against the Sierra Nevada Mountains at 4,500 feet in elevation, with four distinct seasons. During the summer months, temperatures can reach the 90s.  Reno and Lake Tahoe are known for abundant skiing so colder temps and snow are the norm during the winter. Lake Tahoe is less than an hour away but 2,000 feet higher, meaning the weather is often cooler, even during the summer.

Annual rainfall averages 7.48 inches.  Despite this low amount of rainfall per year, Reno features a steppe climate due to its low evapotranspiration.  Annual precipitation has ranged from 1.55 inches in 1947 to 13.23 inches in 1983.  The most precipitation in one month was 5.25 inches in December 1955 and the most precipitation in 24 hours was 2.29 inches on January 21, 1943.  Most rainfall occurs in winter and spring.  The city has 300 days of sunshine per year.  Summer thunderstorms can occur between April and October.  

Winter has snowfall which is usually light to moderate but can be heavy some days, averaging 21.5 inches annually.  The mountains of the Virginia Range to the east can receive more summer thunderstorms and precipitation, and around twice as much annual snowfall above 5,500 feet (1,700 m). However, snowfall increases in the Virginia Range are less dramatic as elevation climbs than in the Carson Range to the west, because the Virginia Range is well within the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada and Carson Range. The most snowfall in the city in one year was 63.8 inches (162 cm) in 1971, and the most snowfall in one month was 29.0 inches (74 cm) in March 1952.


The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 35.3 in December to 74.9 F in July.  The all-time record high temperature is 108 °F (42 °C), which occurred on July 10 and 11, 2002, and again on July 5, 2007.  The all-time record low temperature is −17 °F (−27 °C), which occurred on January 21, 1916.  

Climate data for Reno, Nevada (Reno-Tahoe Int'l), 1981–2010 normal, extremes 1893–present