Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Tahoe City & Palisades in January
Little changes in Tahoe City & Palisades from December: highs stay near 37°F (3°C), lows near 22°F (-5°C), and about 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain or snow falls.
With a comfort score of 44/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 37°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 22°F (-5°C)
- Rain or snow
- 3.6 in (91 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 32 min
- Comfort score
- 44/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Highs only reach about 37°F (3°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 22°F (-5°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are May – October.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, December – February.
- Comfort improves from 40/100 in December to 44/100.
- January sits inside the Dec – Mar window our South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City & Truckee route recommends.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 22°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 3.6 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Tahoe City & Palisades in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Fire Sign Cafe
West-shore breakfast and lunch cafe in an old cabin south of Tahoe City, serving locals since the 1970s.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 37°F.
Fanny Bridge
Bridge in Tahoe City over the Truckee River where it leaves Lake Tahoe, beside the dam that regulates the lake's level.
Sugar Pine Point State Park
West-shore park that hosted the 1960 Olympic cross-country races, with snowshoe and ski trails through pines to the lake.
Palisades Tahoe
Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, now linking Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows by gondola, with steep terrain on KT-22.
Nearby in January
- Truckee in January~13 mi · highs 37°F, 2.9 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- South Lake Tahoe in January~18 mi · highs 38°F, 3.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Old Sacramento Waterfront in January~84 mi · highs 58°F, 3.6 in rain · 11°C (21°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Napa in January~123 mi · highs 54°F, 4.7 in rain · 9°C (17°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Tahoe City & Palisades in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Tahoe City & Palisades?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 44/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – October. Expect highs of 37°F (3°C) and 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain or snow. January is inside the Dec – Mar window our South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City & Truckee route recommends.
How cold is Tahoe City & Palisades in January?
Average highs are 37°F (3°C) and average lows 22°F (-5°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Tahoe City & Palisades in January?
Some: about 3.6 in (91 mm) of rain or snow falls across January on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 25.3 in (642 mm).
What should I pack for Tahoe City & Palisades in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 22°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 3.6 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Tahoe City & Palisades
Routes in season in January
- South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City & Truckee Dec – Mar
Planning Tahoe City & Palisades in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.