Climateby Month

South Lake Tahoe, CA weather in February

NOAA 1991-2020 normals and daily records · South Lake Tahoe all year

In February, South Lake Tahoe sees highs around 43°F and lows around 19°F: chilly and snowy. Expect about 10 wet days. Snowfall averages about 41.3 in. Pack for snow.

Normal high
43°F
Normal low
19°F
Wet days
10
5.6 in total
Snowfall
41.3 in
snow on the ground 24 days

How February changes from start to finish

Normal values at the start and end of February
February 1February 28
Normal high43°F45°F
Normal low19°F21°F
Chance of a wet day35%35%
Sunrise / sunset7:06 am / 5:20 pm6:33 am / 5:51 pm
Daylight10.3 h11.3 h

Chance of a wet day: average for the first and last 7 days of the month. Times are local clock time (Pacific Time).

A typical February day

  1. 6 am36°Fdew point 21°F
  2. 9 am39°Fdew point 22°F
  3. Noon42°Fdew point 24°F
  4. 3 pm42°Fdew point 26°F
  5. 6 pm39°Fdew point 28°F
  6. 9 pm38°Fdew point 25°F

NOAA hourly normals (local standard time) from Blue Canyon Airport (46 mi away); average wind 6 mph.

What kind of days to expect

  • Comfortable dayshigh 65-80°F and dew point under 60°F0 of 28
  • Hot dayshigh 90°F or more0 of 28
  • Muggy daysdaily mean dew point 65°F or more0 of 28
  • Wet daysat least 0.01 in of rain or melted snow10 of 28
  • Notable rainat least 0.10 in10 of 28
  • Freezing nightslow 32°F or below27 of 28
  • Snow on the groundsnow depth 1 in or more24 of 28

Average days per February, counted from daily records for each year 1991-2020.

Rain and snow in February

Normal precipitation is 5.6 in; a dry February brings about 1.6 in and a wet one about 7.3 in (25th and 75th percentiles). About 4 days bring half an inch or more, and about 2 an inch or more. Normal snowfall is 41.3 in, with about 7 days of an inch or more.

How February varies from year to year

  • Warmest February, 1991-20202015: average high 55°F
  • Coolest February2019: average high 34°F
  • Wettest February2017: 18.1 in
  • Driest February2020: 0.2 in
  • Highest reading65°F (February 13, 2015)
  • Lowest reading-15°F (February 26, 2011)

From the station's daily records with NOAA quality flags removed; most recent date shown when a reading repeats.

February compared with January and March

JanuaryFebruaryMarch
Normal high43°F43°F48°F
Normal low18°F19°F24°F
Wet days101010
Comfortable days001
Daylight9.8 h10.8 h12.0 h

Highs change by 0°F from January and +5°F into March.

Nearby alternatives in February

How South Lake Tahoe ranks in February

  • Normal high253rd warmest of 378 cities; 59th of 60 in California
  • Wet days297th driest of 378
  • Comfortable days285th most of 340

What to pack for South Lake Tahoe in February

  • A warm jacket – lows near 19°F, highs near 43°F
  • A rain jacket or umbrella – rain or snow on about 10 days
  • Waterproof boots – snow on the ground on about 24 days
  • A hat and gloves – about 27 freezing nights

Heating and cooling

February has 942 heating degree days and 0 cooling degree days (base 65°F), 12% of the year's total heating and cooling demand.

Questions

How cold is South Lake Tahoe in February?

The normal high is 43°F and the normal low is 19°F. From 1991 to 2020 the coldest February reading was -15°F (February 26, 2011).

Does it rain a lot in South Lake Tahoe in February?

About 10 days in February have at least 0.01 in of precipitation, and the normal total is 5.6 in. The wettest February in 1991-2020 was in 2017 (18.1 in); the driest was in 2020 (0.2 in).

Does it snow in South Lake Tahoe in February?

Yes. Normal snowfall in February is 41.3 in, and snow covers the ground on about 24 days.

Is February a good time to visit South Lake Tahoe?

February ranks 10th of 12 months on our comfort score for South Lake Tahoe (33 out of 100). It has almost no comfortable days. The best month is June.

Where the numbers come from

  • Temperature: South Lake Tahoe Airport (USW00093230), 2.5 mi SSW of the city center, 6,314 ft (76 ft higher than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
  • Rain: Fallen Leaf (USS0020L10S), 3.5 mi W of the city center, 6,236 ft . NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
  • Snowfall and snow depth: Tahoe City (USC00048758), 18 mi NNW of the city center, 6,230 ft . NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
  • Frost dates: Glenbrook (USC00263205), 10 mi NNE of the city center, 6,350 ft (112 ft higher than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
  • Humidity and wind by hour: Blue Canyon Airport (USW00023225), 46 mi WNW of the city center, 5,276 ft (962 ft lower than the city). NOAA normals and daily records, 1991-2020.
  • Daily humidity and wind: Lake Tahoe Airport (725847-93230), 2.5 mi SSW of the city center, 6,257 ft . Hourly observations, 1991-2020.
  • Not available for this location: cloud cover (no station close enough or similar enough in elevation).