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Best time to visit · California, United States
On the climate data, the best time to visit South Lake Tahoe is May – October, scoring up to 100/100 with highs around 74°F (23°C) and 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain in June. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
Highs run from 37°F to 83°F across the year, and the yearly total is about 25.3 in (642 mm) of rain and snow.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg high | 38°F3°C | 39°F4°C | 45°F7°C | 51°F11°C | 62°F17°C | 74°F23°C | 83°F29°C | 82°F28°C | 74°F23°C | 61°F16°C | 47°F8°C | 37°F3°C |
| Avg low | 22°F-5°C | 23°F-5°C | 27°F-3°C | 31°F-1°C | 38°F4°C | 47°F8°C | 55°F13°C | 53°F12°C | 47°F8°C | 37°F3°C | 28°F-2°C | 22°F-6°C |
| Rain/snow | 3.6 in91 mm | 3.9 in99 mm | 3.7 in94 mm | 2.2 in55 mm | 1.5 in38 mm | 0.5 in12 mm | 0.3 in8 mm | 0.3 in7 mm | 0.4 in9 mm | 1.5 in39 mm | 2.7 in68 mm | 4.8 in122 mm |
| Humidity | 76% | 76% | 74% | 69% | 60% | 46% | 34% | 32% | 37% | 48% | 63% | 77% |
| Cloud | 57% | 59% | 61% | 53% | 46% | 27% | 23% | 20% | 21% | 30% | 44% | 58% |
| Comfort | 45 | 43 | 51 | 69 | 90 | 100 | 94 | 98 | 100 | 94 | 63 | 41 |
Source: NASA POWER (public domain), 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km satellite and reanalysis grid, so coasts and valleys can differ from what's shown. The grid cell sits at about 1,918 m (6,293 ft), close to South Lake Tahoe's own ~1,909 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.
The cold peaks here: highs of 37–39°F (3–4°C), and nights reach 22°F (-6°C). It's the wettest season, with about 12.3 in (312 mm) of rain or snow, 49% of the year's total. December – February are cold enough for snow. It holds the toughest stretch on our comfort score (December – February), averaging 43/100.
Temperatures climb through the season, from 45°F highs in March to 62°F by May. About 7.4 in (187 mm) of rain or snow falls across these months, 29% of the year's total. March is cold enough for snow. May is among the best-scoring months (season average 70/100).
Peak warmth: highs of 74–83°F (23–29°C). It's the driest season, with only about 1.1 in (27 mm) of rain, 4% of the year's total. Lows bottom out around 47°F (8°C). Comfort peaks here: June – August rank with the year's best, and the season averages 97/100.
Temperatures slide from 74°F highs in September to 47°F by November. About 4.6 in (116 mm) of rain or snow falls across these months, 18% of the year's total. November is cold enough for snow. September & October are among the best-scoring months (season average 86/100).
By comfort score: 6 Great, 2 Good, 2 Fair and 2 Tough. Great months: May – October. Tap a month for its own guide.
On the climate data, the best time to visit South Lake Tahoe is May – October, scoring up to 100/100 with highs around 74°F (23°C) and 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain in June. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.
December is the wettest month, averaging about 4.8 in (122 mm) of rain or snow. August is the driest, with about 0.3 in (7 mm). The yearly total is around 25.3 in (642 mm).
December is the coldest, with average lows of 22°F (-6°C) and highs of 37°F (3°C). The warmest is July, with average highs of 83°F (29°C).
Not very: summer (June – August) humidity averages 37%, and highs peak around 83°F (29°C), so heat matters more than mugginess.
On average, yes: lows fall below 32°F (0°C) in November – April, bottoming out around 22°F (-6°C) in December.
Poll the group on May – October dates, then plan the days, packing and costs together.
