There is no wrong time to visit the stunning shores of Lake Tahoe, as each season brings its own unique charm and allure. The towns and communities nestled around the lake come alive year-round. They host a vibrant array of events that draw in approximately 15 million visitors annually from all corners of the globe.
Whether it’s the exhilarating thrill of water sports in the summer or the cozy warmth in the lodge after winter skiing, Lake Tahoe offers a captivating blend of recreational activities that keep people returning from January through December.
The local businesses and full-time residents enthusiastically welcome guests, inviting them to partake in the excitement that each season brings. Mother Nature typically graces Lake Tahoe with pleasant weather. But, Mother Nature occasionally throws a curveball, which leads to fluctuations in climate that may impact certain events and activities.
The months from March to May see the highest influx of visitors, while September tends to be quieter, with fewer crowds exploring the area.Below the following section’s general questions that Lakehub received about Tahoe weather, is the section on Lake Tahoe’s average month to month weather conditions.
What Is the Best Month to Go to Lake Tahoe?
Spring at Lake Tahoe
March is a mix of late winter snowfall and the welcome announcement of spring. Tahoe’s snow begins to melt in May. The temperature warms up and wildflowers unfurl their vibrant displays like nature’s storefront. As May shifts into June, the inflow of visitors rises.
Summer at Lake Tahoe
In June, warm sunny days with ideal conditions commence. Tahoe’s water is perfect for swimming, and all the hiking trails open up. In the peak of summer, the number of festivals grows along with the number of visitors.
Fall at Lake Tahoe
In September, Lake Tahoe is still wonderful for lake fun, plus hints of fall scents the air. The summer throngs have left for home. Lake Tahoe decorates itself in a tapestry of color. The heart-shaped foliage on Aspen groves transforms from green to flashes of luminous yellows and golds.
Winter at Lake Tahoe
True winter at Lake Tahoe brings on winter wonderland aura, winter sports, and cozy nights in front of a cabin’s fireplace with hot toddies and cocoa. From December to February, snowfall picks up first in the highest elevations in early December. Snow eventually blankets the mountains for optimal skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
Lake Tahoe Weather FAQ
Is Lake Tahoe Getting Snow?
The average annual snowfall is 33.3 ft. In winter 2022-2023, Tahoe’s snowfall level reached 57 ft. The two previous and last winter’s snowfall levels met Tahoe’s approximate average snowfall level.
What Is the Warmest Month in Lake Tahoe?
July sports the warmest month at Lake Tahoe. Average temperatures range from 70° F to 85° F (21.1° C to – 26.6° C) during daytime hours around the lake and grow cooler as the elevation ascends. Typically, the temperature drops to 40° F and 50° F (4.4° C to – 10° C) as evenings descend upon Tahoe’s basin floor.
Lake Tahoe Towns and Communities
The towns and villages surrounding Lake Tahoe each offer unique experiences and all types of amenities a visitor could imagine. Lake Tahoe accommodations ranging from rustic to luxurious with upscale services like relaxing spas and extreme sports equipment rentals like parasailing.
Lake Tahoe Average Weather Conditions Month by Month
The following data is in the format of Fahrenheit to Celsius in parenthesis, inches to millimeters in parenthesis, and feet to meters in parenthesis.
January Weather in Tahoe
The average high at Lake Tahoe is 38.7°F (3.7°C) with an average low of 19°F (-7.2°C). But, temperatures range from 44°F to 26°F all month. January is usually the coldest, rainiest, and snowiest month. There is an average of six days of rain in January with 5.98 feet (152 mm), and an average snowfall of 45.9 feet (1166mm). The average length of daylight in January in Lake Tahoe is 9 hours and 48 minutes.
February Weather in Tahoe
In February, the average high temperature is 40.3°F (4.6°C) and an average low of 19.9°F (-6.7°C), and it ranges from 45°F to 26°F. There is an average of five days of rain in February and 5.28 feet (134 mm) of rain with an average snowfall of 36.5 feet (927 mm). The average length of daylight in February in Lake Tahoe is 10 hours and 46 minutes.
March Weather in Tahoe
March is first month of spring at Lake Tahoe. The average high temperature in March is 44.1°F (6.7°C). The average low-temperature, in Lake Tahoe, is 22.8°F (-5.1°C) and ranges from 49°F to 28°F. There are about five days of rain with an average of 4.13 feet (105 mm) of rainfall. Lake Tahoe regularly sees up to 35.2 feet (894 mm) of snow in March. The average length of the day in March in Lake Tahoe is 11 hours and 59 minutes.
April Weather in Tahoe
Cool spring weather hits Lake Tahoe in April with average temperatures fluctuating from between 27°F (-2.8°C) and 50.4°F (10.2°C) but will range between 54°F to 31°F. Typically there are three days of rain dropping an average of 2.13 feet (54 mm) of water. An average of 15.91 feet (404 mm) of snow falls in April. Daylight shines an average of 13 hours and 16 minutes.
May Weather in Tahoe
May is the last month of spring at Lake Tahoe. The weather is mild with an average high of 59.5°F (15.3°C) and an average low of 32.7°F (0.4°C) and ranges from 63°F to 37°F. An average of three days of rainfall or 1.22″ (31 mm) of precipitation accumulates in May. An average of 3.7 feet (94 mm) of snowfall occurs. The average length of the day in Lake Tahoe is 14 hours and 20 minutes in May.
June Weather in Tahoe
The first month of summer at Lake Tahoe brings in average temperatures from a 68.7°F (20.4°C) high to a 38.7°F (3.7°C) low but will range from 73°F to 44°F. June brings about two days of rain with 0.67 feet (17 mm) of precipitation. It does snow at Lake Tahoe in June accumulating an average 0.2 feet (5 mm) of snow. The sun comes out for an average of 14 hours and 52 minutes of daylight.
July Weather in Tahoe
Summer comes on full force in July with an average high of 77.9°F (25.5°C) and a low of 44.4°F (6.9°C) with a range from between 80°F to 50°F. Lake Tahoe sees one day of rain with generally 0.28 feet (7 mm). Snow does not fall in July. The average length of a day is 14 hours and 35 minutes in July in Lake Tahoe.
August Weather in Tahoe
The last month of Lake Tahoe’s summer is moderately hot with a high of 77.2°F (25.1°C) and 43.7°F (6.5°C) for a low but can range from 79°F to 50°F. Only one day of rainfall that brings just 0.31 feet (8 mm) of water and no snow. Daylight lasts an average of 13 hours and 39 minutes.
September Weather in Tahoe
September is downtime for tourists at Lake Tahoe, and the temperature slightly decreases to a high of 69.8°F (21°C) and a low of 39°F (3.9°C) and will fluctuate between 74°F to 46°F. There is little rainfall at an average of one day with a small increase of 0.59 feet (15 mm). Typically, the first snow fall of the year is minimal at 0.31″ (8 mm) of snow. Daylight decreases to 12 hours and 26 minutes in September.
October Weather in Tahoe
The weather continues mild in October with average temperatures at 58.8°F (14.9°C) for a high and 32.4°F (0.2°C) low and can go from 62°F to 38°F. It rains on average of three days with 1.81 feet (46 mm) of precipitation. The snowfall rate begins to pick up at 2.4 feet (61 mm) of snow, but it is not ready for skiing. Daylight hours decrease again to 11 hours and 10 minutes.
November Weather in Tahoe
The air turns frosty during Lake Tahoe’s last month of autumn. The temperature drops to a chilly 46.9°F (8.3°C) high and a cold 25.9°F (-3.4°C) low that ranges between 51°F and 31°F. It rains four days with 3.58 feet (91 mm) of accumulation. Snowfall averages at 15.51 feet (394 mm). Lake Tahoe loses another hour of daylight with 10 hours and 3 minutes of sunshine.
December Weather in Tahoe
Ski season goes into full swing during the Christmas season at Lake Tahoe. The average high decreases to 40.3°F (4.6°C) and a low of 20.8°F (-6.2°C) and it can range from 44°F to 26°F. Rainfall increases to an average of five days a week and drops 5.55 feet (141 mm) of precipitation. And it snows to the tune of 35.2 feet (894 mm) and Lake Tahoe fills up with skiers. December has the shortest daylight hours of the year at 9 hours and 29 minutes of daylight.
Annual Lake Tahoe Events
Snow Globe Music Festival, New Year’s Eve
Alpenglow Mountain Festival, February
SnowFest!, Late February to early March
Winter Wonder Grass, March
Lake Tahoe Outdoor Summer Concert Series, June to September
America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride, Early June
Tahoe Brewfest, Early June
Alpenglow Mountain Festival, June
Broken Arrow Skyrace, June
Valhalla Art, Music & Theatre Festival, June
4th of July Fireworks and Lights on the Lake
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival, July to August
Wanderlust Festival, July
Concours d’Elegance Wooden Boat Show, August
Lake Tahoe Marathon, September
Valhalla Art, Music & Theatre Festival, September
Sample the Sierra, September
Great Trail Race, October
Fall Fish Festival, October
Oktoberfest at Camp Richardson, October
Festival of Trees and Lights, Early December
Tahoe Film Fest, December
Tahoe Adventure Film Festival, December
Heavenly Holidays, Late December
