Late spring · Weather & things to do
Tahoe City & Palisades in May
Tahoe City & Palisades warms up: highs climb to 62°F (16°C), from 51°F in April, with lows of 38°F (4°C) and about 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain.
May opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 91/100 (6th of 12).
- Avg high
- 62°F (16°C)
- Avg low
- 38°F (4°C)
- Rain
- 1.5 in (38 mm)
- Humidity
- 60%
- Cloud cover
- 44%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 09 min
- Comfort score
- 91/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs near 62°F (16°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 38°F (4°C), about 13°C (23°F) below the afternoon high.
Rain is moderate at about 1.5 in (38 mm) for the month.
Plan around May
May is one of Tahoe City & Palisades's best months on the climate data.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: May – October.
- Comfort improves from 68/100 in April to 91/100.
- Our South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City & Truckee route recommends Dec – Mar, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- A warm layer for eveningsnights drop to 38°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Tahoe City & Palisades in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Fire Sign Cafe
West-shore breakfast and lunch cafe in an old cabin south of Tahoe City, serving locals since the 1970s.
Fanny Bridge
Bridge in Tahoe City over the Truckee River where it leaves Lake Tahoe, beside the dam that regulates the lake's level.
Why now May scores 91/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
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.
Why now Highs near 62°F and 1.5 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Palisades Tahoe
Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, now linking Olympic Valley and Alpine Meadows by gondola, with steep terrain on KT-22.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Nearby in May
- Truckee in May~13 mi · highs 63°F, 1.2 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- South Lake Tahoe in May~18 mi · highs 62°F, 1.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Old Sacramento Waterfront in May~84 mi · highs 80°F, 0.9 in rain · 10°C (19°F) warmer by day, drier
- Napa in May~123 mi · highs 73°F, 0.9 in rain · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, drier
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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Tahoe City & Palisades?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 91/100. Expect highs of 62°F (16°C) and 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain. Our South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City & Truckee route recommends Dec – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Tahoe City & Palisades in May?
Average highs are 62°F (16°C) and average lows 38°F (4°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Tahoe City & Palisades in May?
Not much: about 1.5 in (38 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 25.3 in (642 mm).
What should I pack for Tahoe City & Palisades in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (nights drop to 38°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Tahoe City & Palisades
Planning Tahoe City & Palisades in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.