Late spring · Weather & things to do
Truckee in May
Truckee warms up: highs climb to 63°F (17°C), from 52°F in April, with lows of 38°F (3°C) and about 1.2 in (31 mm) of rain.
May opens the best stretch on our comfort score, at 93/100 (4th of 12).
- Avg high
- 63°F (17°C)
- Avg low
- 38°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 1.2 in (31 mm)
- Humidity
- 57%
- Cloud cover
- 44%
- Daylight
- ~14 h 10 min
- Comfort score
- 93/100 · Great
What May feels like
Highs near 63°F (17°C) make for comfortable sightseeing weather.
Mornings start much cooler: lows average 38°F (3°C), about 14°C (25°F) below the afternoon high.
About 1.2 in (31 mm) of rain falls in a typical year's May.
Plan around May
May is one of Truckee's best months on the climate data.
- Opens the best-scoring stretch on our comfort score: May – October.
- Comfort improves from 71/100 in April to 93/100.
- 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 eveningslows near 38°F
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Truckee in May
With conditions on your side, the picks below favor time outside.
Sugar Bowl
Ski resort on Donner Summit, opened in 1939, that gets some of the deepest snow in the Sierra.
Why now May scores 93/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Northstar California
Family-friendly ski resort south of Truckee, with long groomed runs and an outdoor ice rink in its village.
Why now Highs near 63°F and 1.2 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
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.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Nearby in May
- Tahoe City & Palisades in May~13 mi · highs 62°F, 1.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- South Lake Tahoe in May~31 mi · highs 62°F, 1.5 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Old Sacramento Waterfront in May~89 mi · highs 80°F, 0.9 in rain · 10°C (17°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Napa in May~126 mi · highs 73°F, 0.9 in rain · 6°C (10°F) warmer by day, about as wet
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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Truckee?
Yes. On the climate data it's one of the best months, scoring 93/100. Expect highs of 63°F (17°C) and 1.2 in (31 mm) of rain. Our South Lake Tahoe, Tahoe City & Truckee route recommends Dec – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Truckee in May?
Average highs are 63°F (17°C) and average lows 38°F (3°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Truckee in May?
Not much: about 1.2 in (31 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 21.0 in (534 mm).
What should I pack for Truckee in May?
Bring a warm layer for evenings (lows near 38°F) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Truckee in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.