With all the activities Lake Tahoe offers, Lake Tahoe welcomes tourists year-round. To hang on the lake, March to May are the most comfortable months, and skiing is best from January to February. In July and August, Massive umbrellas and sun kissed beach goers Lake dress up Lake Tahoe’s shores. There is a small break in visitor activity in September, so that is also a great time to visit.
Besides the attractions that surround Lake Tahoe, the lake’s residents and businesses host events all year like the Genoa Candy Dance Arts & Crafts Faire, brew fests, a film fest, a Shakespeare Festival, a spring snow festival, and much more. However, Mother Nature does not always behave the same way every year. There are variations in weather conditions that can spoil some activities at Lake Tahoe.
Summer is the busiest season at Lake Tahoe, and the temperatures stay in the high 70s, and sometimes it hits 80 degrees in July. Lake Tahoe’s snowy season in December and January sees highs in the 40°F range quite often. Visitors can expect higher prices during Lake Tahoe’s summer and winter seasons.
Lake Tahoe’s natural water level sits at 6,223 feet, and in any given year it can be above or below this level. The drought covering most of the American West is affecting Lake Tahoe’s water levels. Even so, from 2017 to 2019, Lake Tahoe reached its maximum water level, and it began dropping in 2021. The following is a general monthly weather guide at Lake Tahoe.
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.