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Best time to visit · California, United States

Best Time to Visit Tahoe City & Palisades

For the most comfortable weather in Tahoe City & Palisades, aim for May – October. June tops our comfort score at 100/100, with highs around 73°F (23°C) and 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.

Tahoe City & Palisades, California, United States
Best months
May – Oct
Toughest
Dec – Feb
Warmest
Jul · 83°F
Coldest nights
Dec · 21°F
Wettest
Dec · 4.8 in
Driest
Aug · 0.3 in

Tahoe City & Palisades weather by month

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.

5°14°23°32°41°50°59°68°77°86°37°Jan39°Feb45°Mar51°Apr62°May73°Jun83°Jul82°Aug74°Sep60°Oct47°Nov37°Dec075150
Daily low → high (°F)Monthly rain (mm, right axis)Best months
Monthly climate averages for Tahoe City & Palisades, 2001–2025
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg high37°F3°C39°F4°C45°F7°C51°F11°C62°F16°C73°F23°C83°F29°C82°F28°C74°F23°C60°F16°C47°F8°C37°F3°C
Avg low22°F-5°C23°F-5°C27°F-3°C31°F-1°C38°F4°C46°F8°C55°F13°C53°F12°C47°F8°C37°F3°C28°F-2°C21°F-6°C
Rain/snow3.6 in91 mm3.9 in99 mm3.7 in94 mm2.2 in55 mm1.5 in38 mm0.5 in12 mm0.3 in8 mm0.3 in7 mm0.4 in9 mm1.5 in39 mm2.7 in68 mm4.8 in122 mm
Humidity76%76%74%69%60%46%34%32%37%48%63%77%
Cloud59%59%58%54%44%24%15%16%21%34%51%62%
Comfort44435268911009498100926140

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 Tahoe City & Palisades's own ~1,911 m. Precipitation includes snow as melted water; daylight is calculated from latitude. Check a forecast before you go.

How we pick the best months

  • Temperature (40 pts): full marks for average daytime highs of 64–81°F (18–27°C); minus 3 points per °C below and 4 per °C above.
  • Rain (25 pts): full marks up to 40 mm (1.6 in) a month, falling to zero at 250 mm (9.8 in).
  • Humidity (15 pts): only counts when it is warm (mean above 18°C); minus 0.75 points per % above 70% relative humidity.
  • Cloud (20 pts): full marks at 30% cloud cover or less, falling to zero at 90%.
Best months: within 6 points of the top (or 85+). Shoulder: within 18 and at least 45. Toughest: within 6 of the lowest. Comfort only; crowds, prices, festivals and openings aren't scored.

Tahoe City & Palisades season by season

Winter Dec – Feb

The cold peaks here: highs of 37–39°F (3–4°C), and nights reach 21°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 42/100.

Spring Mar – May

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. Comfort peaks here: May ranks with the year's best, and the season averages 70/100.

Summer Jun – Aug

Peak warmth: highs of 73–83°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 46°F (8°C). June – August are among the best-scoring months (season average 97/100).

Autumn Sep – Nov

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. Comfort peaks here: September & October rank with the year's best, and the season averages 84/100.

What our curated routes say

Plan by month

By comfort score: 6 Great, 2 Good, 1 Fair and 3 Tough. Great months: May – October. Tap a month for its own guide.

Tahoe City & Palisades weather questions

When is the best time to visit Tahoe City & Palisades?

For the most comfortable weather in Tahoe City & Palisades, aim for May – October. June tops our comfort score at 100/100, with highs around 73°F (23°C) and 0.5 in (12 mm) of rain. The toughest months are December – February, mainly because of cool days.

What is the rainiest month in Tahoe City & Palisades?

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).

What is the coldest month in Tahoe City & Palisades?

December is the coldest, with average lows of 21°F (-6°C) and highs of 37°F (3°C). The warmest is July, with average highs of 83°F (29°C).

Is Tahoe City & Palisades humid in summer?

Not very: summer (June – August) humidity averages 37%, and highs peak around 83°F (29°C), so heat matters more than mugginess.

Does it get below freezing in Tahoe City & Palisades?

On average, yes: lows fall below 32°F (0°C) in November – April, bottoming out around 21°F (-6°C) in December.

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