Moving in December in Northern Nevada

December has the shortest days of the year, and that fact drives everything: the sun sets at about 4:36 pm in mid-month and 4:38 pm at the winter solstice. It also has the holidays, school breaks and the first big Sierra storms. Plenty of people still move in December because of year-end closings and job starts.

The shortest days

On December 15 the sun rises at the warehouse at about 7:12 am and sets at about 4:36 pm. At the December solstice, daylight is 9.38 hours, the lowest of the year. A move that begins at 8 am has just over eight hours of usable light.

Leave exterior lights on, clear snow and ice from the paths, and place mats or runners at the doors to protect floors.

Weather by the numbers

Reno records 26.6 days at or below freezing, 1.1 inches of precipitation and 5.2 inches of snow in the normals. Truckee is far colder, with a 40.5 F high, a 15.0 F low and 44.2 inches of snow, and Tahoe City averages 36.2 inches. For a Tahoe move, plan on snow berms, tight driveways and chain controls.

Check Caltrans and Nevada 511 before you leave, and keep the delivery phone number with you.

School breaks and the holidays

Many families move during winter break, when children are out of school. Washoe County School District publishes its calendar online, so check the exact dates for your school. Year-end lease endings and January 1 job starts also put pressure on the last two weeks of the month.

Ask for your estimate early in November for a mid-December date, and avoid the days right around Christmas and New Year unless your timing is firm.

Holiday decorations and gifts

• Pack ornaments in dividers and mark the carton Fragile, Tree.
• Keep lights and the tree stand in the last carton in and the first carton out.
• Hold gifts in your own vehicle; surprises are easier that way.
• Take down wreaths and outdoor lights before the crew arrives.
• See the 8-week moving checklist for timing.