Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Truckee in January
Little changes in Truckee from December: highs stay near 37°F (3°C), lows near 21°F (-6°C), and about 2.9 in (74 mm) of rain or snow falls.
With a comfort score of 46/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 37°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 21°F (-6°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.9 in (74 mm)
- Humidity
- 76%
- Cloud cover
- 59%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 31 min
- Comfort score
- 46/100 · Fair
What January feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 37°F (3°C).
Average lows of 21°F (-6°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 2.9 in (74 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 42/100 in December to 46/100.
- 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 21°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.9 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Truckee in January
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Moody's Bistro Bar & Beats
Downtown restaurant and bar in the Truckee Hotel building, with live music most nights.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 37°F.
Donner Memorial State Park
Park at the east end of Donner Lake with the Pioneer Monument and a museum on the Donner Party and the railroad.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 37°F.
Truckee Depot
Downtown train depot where Amtrak's California Zephyr stops, with a visitor center and a caboose outside.
Donner Lake
Mountain lake just west of town below Donner Pass, ringed by snowy granite peaks in winter.
Nearby in January
- Tahoe City & Palisades in January~13 mi · highs 37°F, 3.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- South Lake Tahoe in January~31 mi · highs 38°F, 3.6 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Old Sacramento Waterfront in January~89 mi · highs 58°F, 3.6 in rain · 12°C (21°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Napa in January~126 mi · highs 54°F, 4.7 in rain · 10°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.
Truckee in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Truckee?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 46/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are May – October. Expect highs of 37°F (3°C) and 2.9 in (74 mm) of rain or snow. January is inside the Dec – Mar window our South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City & Truckee route recommends.
How cold is Truckee in January?
Average highs are 37°F (3°C) and average lows 21°F (-6°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Truckee in January?
Some: about 2.9 in (74 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 21.0 in (534 mm).
What should I pack for Truckee in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 21°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.9 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Routes in season in January
- South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City & Truckee Dec – Mar
Planning Truckee in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.