Lake Tahoe in winter by the numbers
- Jan48 F high, 26 F low, 5.2 in snow
- Feb52 F high, 29 F low, 5.2 in snow
- Dec47 F high, 26 F low, 5.2 in snow
Data (station Reno-Tahoe International Airport): NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020.
Winter at the lake is a different climate from winter in Reno. Reno's airport records 5.2 inches of snow in January, while Truckee records 43.6 inches in the same month. Tahoe City's normals show a similar story at 37.9 inches. Moves to and from the Tahoe basin in winter need more lead time, more flexible dates and a clear plan for access.
The three winter months at a glance
At the Truckee station, December averages 44.2 inches of snow, January 43.6 inches and February 47.9 inches. February is the snowiest month. Tahoe City, on the lake, averages 36.2 inches in December, 37.9 in January and 41.3 in February, and both stations record about 27 to 30 mornings a month at or below freezing.
South Lake Tahoe Airport reports a milder 42.8 F January high and an 18.4 F low. The lake side is a few degrees warmer than Truckee, but still cold enough for ice on shaded stairs and steep drives.
Chain controls on the way up
California can post chain controls on Interstate 80 over Donner Summit and on US 50 toward South Lake Tahoe. Caltrans explains three levels. Under R-1 chains are required on most vehicles except passenger vehicles with snow tires, under R-2 chains or traction devices are required except on four-wheel drive vehicles with snow-tread tires on all four wheels, and under R-3 chains or traction devices are required on all vehicles. Highway signs control, and the speed limit under chains is 25 or 30 miles an hour.
Ask your estimator about the route and the plan for a closed road. Your written estimate sets the delivery window, and the crew follows the posted rules.
Getting to the door
- Find out who plows the driveway and when. Ask a neighbor or property manager to clear it the morning of the move.
- Mark the edges of steep or narrow drives with stakes, since snow hides the edges.
- Park your own cars where the truck needs to turn around.
- Clear a path from the truck to the door and sand any ice.
- Tell the building manager if a condo or HOA requires a move-in time slot.
Seasonal homes and short days
Many Tahoe homes are second homes, so furniture is often moved in winter for the ski season. Ask about seasonal and second-home storage if you want items held in Sparks rather than at the lake. Vault storage starts from $40 per month.
The Sparks warehouse sees sunrise near 7:18 am and sunset near 4:58 pm in mid-January, 9.7 hours of light. For more on the cold months in general, read moving in winter in the Sierra and moving to high altitude.