how cold is it at night?

[Drawingablank]

Keep in mind the wind chill factor as well because that can make it seem much colder than it actually is.

Although the wind is usually relatively calm at night, one night in 2012 it really picked up late at night and that made it feel closer to zero degrees. I expected cold and dressed for it, but it still chilled me to the bone.

Living in New York I am no stranger to extreme cold, but I don't think I've ever felt that cold in my life before. I now bring good long johns to the burn although I haven't needed them since then.

As mentioned above, dress in layers so you can adjust to conditions which tend to change over the course of the night.

[some seeing eye]

Wow, I can add to things learned from GC on ePlaya that people actually bring electric blankets and use them!

What's next, hot tubs? (I do miss the Otter Camp).

[Captain Goddammit]

Electric blankets aren't a joke! I love mine. I even bring one on my Mutant Vehicle.
I'd venture a guess that the greater population of Burning Man lives within driving range, making it quite feasable to have electricity. You need electricity for everything else from your big freezers to your air conditioners and coffee makers and microwaves anyway.
Why WOULDN'T you have an electric blanket?!!

[Molotov]

They make 12 volt warming pads and blankets, typically used in 18-wheeler sleeper bunks. They draw about 5 amps (roughly equivalent to leaving one 60 watt high beam halogen headlight on all night) and could drain your RV battery real quick.

[squish]

One fine morning in 2010, I discovered thin sheets of ice in my evap.

Some nights it's warm enough for flimsy clothing, some nights I've been in heavy layers, plus hat and gloves. Chemical handwarmers are VERY nice. I have some hip-length fake fur coats, and a full-length wool coat. Purchased the coats fairly cheaply at thrift shops.

I put a thin blanket under my air mattress for insulation- sleep between sheets if it's a warm night; I use a sleeping bag and a wool blanket for chilly nights. Sometimes a hot-water bottle to keep my toes cozy.

I recommend some sort of insulation under your sleeping bag- a blanket, foam, thermarest, etc.

[[jim]]

in 2010, it was in the low 40s (F) early morning. went out with our neighbor's mutant vehicle for a tour of the playa before sunrise.

no time to make coffee... it was really cold riding around, just sitting and letting the cold breeze give one a chill.

Once the sun popped over the mountains... it heated up quickly!

[Captain Goddammit]

The answer is to be prepared for both hot and cold.
There have been nights on the playa when it was so cold we couldn't stand to be out, and there have been nights when I ran the A/C all night.

[danibel]

The answer is to be prepared for both hot and cold.
There have been nights on the playa when it was so cold we couldn't stand to be out, and there have been nights when I ran the A/C all night.

seriously. I guess it was 2010 that was FREEZING at night. A few yeas ago was walking around at midnight in a mini skirt and light top! You just never know. I always bring layers and if I am lucky to enough to not need them, great! Though this can make it hard to plan for night time lighting. If you put lights only on your faux fur, and then you don't need it, you should have a back up plan. Some people light up a hat or backpack.

Be flexible and plan accordingly.

[Wigwam]

I remember that, danibel. I think it was 2 years ago...so warm, I slept outside on my futon. Two years, or three before that, I had on layers and layers to keep warm. For lighting, I try to always bring an extra EL wire kit along, just in case. You can add or take off layers and stay lit. Err...lighted...um...lit up...you can be seen!