Climate - Lake Tahoe (California)

The climate of Lake Tahoe is moderately continental, with cold, snowy winters and sunny summers, which are warm during the day, but with cool nights.
The lake is located north-east of San Francisco and Sacramento, on the border between California and Nevada, and 1,900 meters (6,200 ft) above sea level. A short distance away are the cities of Carson City and Reno, both in Nevada. Around the lake are several winter sports resorts, the largest of which are the Heavenly Mountain Resort in the south and the Squaw Valley Ski Resort in the northwest.
In winter, the night temperature normally drops below freezing, sometimes even by several degrees. On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature generally reaches -18/-20 °C (-4/0 °F), but sometimes it can even drop below. In February 1989, it dropped to -33 °C (27.5 °F) in South Lake Tahoe. Snowfalls are abundant: almost 5 meters (16 feet and a half) of snow fall in the northern part and almost 3 meters (10 ft) in the southern part of the lake. Usually, it snows from November to April.
In summer, there are strong differences in temperature between night and day, so it can be cold at night, while it is warm during the day. On the hottest days of the year, the temperature generally reaches 30/33 C (86/91 °F). In summer, water sports are practiced on the lake. On rare occasions, thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon.
In South Lake Tahoe, located on the south shore of the lake, the average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of -0.9 °C (30.4 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 16.4 °C (61.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

In the northern part of the lake, precipitation is relatively abundant: in Tahoe City, it amounts to 800 millimeters (31.5 inches) per year. In South Lake Tahoe, on the contrary, it is at an intermediate level, and amounts to 520 millimeters (20.5 inches) per year. It ranges from 5 mm (0.2 in) in the driest month (September) to 95 mm (3.7 in) in the wettest (February). Here is the average precipitation.

Best Time

The best time to visit Lake Tahoe is from June to September, since it is the warmest and sunniest period, bearing in mind that it is necessary to dress in layers because there are strong temperature differences between night and day.

Back to California.

Lake Tahoe - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually very cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of -0.8 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -7.6 °C (18.4 °F) and a maximum of 6 °C (42.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -18 °C (-0.5 °F). However, it dropped to -25.6 °C (-14.1 °F) in January 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it reached 18.9 °C (66 °F) in January 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In February, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually very cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of -0.4 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -7.1 °C (19.3 °F) and a maximum of 6.3 °C (43.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -16 °C (3 °F). However, it dropped to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) in February 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) in February 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In March, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 2.1 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -4.6 °C (23.7 °F) and a maximum of 8.8 °C (47.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (8 °F). However, it dropped to -21.1 °C (-6 °F) in March 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In April, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually quite cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 4.7 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of -2.4 °C (27.6 °F) and a maximum of 11.8 °C (53.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -13.9 °C (7 °F) in April 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 23.9 °C (75 °F) in April 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In May, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 8.7 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 0.7 °C (33.2 °F) and a maximum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.8 °C (18 °F) in May 2011.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in May 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 50%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In June, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.8 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (72 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in June 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in June 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 43%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 5.8 °C (42.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in July 2016.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (89.5 °F). However, it reached 35.5 °C (95.9 °F) in July 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 40%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In August, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 5 °C (41 °F) and a maximum of 26.5 °C (79.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in August 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in August 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
The average humidity is 39%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In September, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -5 °C (23 °F) in September 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 33.3 °C (91.9 °F) in September 2020.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 41%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In October, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually quite mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of -1.6 °C (29.2 °F) and a maximum of 16.8 °C (62.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.8 °C (9 °F) in October 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in October 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 5 minutes.
The average humidity is 49%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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In November, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 2.8 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -4.8 °C (23.3 °F) and a maximum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (8.5 °F). However, it dropped to -22.8 °C (-9 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in November 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
The average humidity is 59%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In December, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Lake Tahoe is usually very cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of -0.9 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -7.8 °C (18 °F) and a maximum of 6 °C (42.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (0.5 °F). However, it dropped to -25.6 °C (-14.1 °F) in December 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 17.8 °C (64 °F) in December 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).