Lake Tahoe in February

In February, Lake Tahoe averages 5°C (41°F) during the day and -3°C (27°F) at night, with around 9 days of rain (119 mm total).

Off-peak

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Occasional showers are likely but won't dominate.

February in Lake Tahoe is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

5°C
Avg high
-3°C
Avg low
9
Rain days
119 mm
Rainfall

How February compares to the rest of the year in Lake Tahoe

10th
warmest month of the 12
4th
wettest month of the 12
16%
of yearly rainfall falls in February
10 h 45 min
daylight on the 15th

February is one of the coolest months in Lake Tahoe (10th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (4th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 9°C below the annual average (14°C). February runs 1°C warmer than January (4°C) and warms a further 1°C into March (6°C).

February sunrise & sunset in Lake Tahoe

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:51 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:36 PM
Day length
10 h 45 min

Times shown for Lake Tahoe local time (America/Los_Angeles), calculated for the 15th of February. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Lake Tahoe — February

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of February, in Lake Tahoe's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:51 AM – 6:31 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:31 AM – 7:31 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
4:56 PM – 5:56 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
5:56 PM – 6:36 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.

📅 When to book — Lake Tahoe in February

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on February's tier (Off-peak) and Lake Tahoe's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
3-6 weeks
Cheapest flights of the year. Last-minute deals are real if you can be flexible.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
2-4 weeks
Last-minute bookings work fine. Some seasonal properties close — call ahead if it's a small boutique or beach resort.

Crowds & pricing — February in Lake Tahoe

Off-peak

This is off-peak for Lake Tahoe — the lowest prices of the year and the fewest crowds, but with real trade-offs: some restaurants, hotels, and beach businesses may close for the season; weather conditions can make outdoor activities unpredictable; and a handful of seasonal sights run reduced hours or close entirely. Great if you prefer a quiet local rhythm and don't mind the climate giving you reasons to choose indoor activities.

Why this tier: challenging tourism weather

Sun & mosquito risk — February in Lake Tahoe

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
6.8
High
Cover up and apply SPF 30+ for any outdoor activity longer than 30 minutes.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

🥶 Bitter cold — Lake Tahoe in February

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-3°C
27°F
Avg day high
5°C
41°F

Gear: Snow rare but air is freezing. Insulated coat, hat, and gloves still required — wind chill is the real enemy.

Lake Tahoe in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 4°C / 40°F -3°C / 27°F 133 mm 10
February 5°C / 41°F -3°C / 27°F 119 mm 9
March 6°C / 43°F -2°C / 29°F 106 mm 11
April 10°C / 50°F 1°C / 33°F 49 mm 7
May 15°C / 59°F 5°C / 40°F 42 mm 9
June 22°C / 72°F 10°C / 51°F 10 mm 3
July 27°C / 80°F 15°C / 59°F 10 mm 3
August 26°C / 79°F 15°C / 59°F 12 mm 3
September 22°C / 72°F 12°C / 53°F 25 mm 4
October 16°C / 61°F 6°C / 43°F 50 mm 4
November 9°C / 48°F 1°C / 33°F 67 mm 7
December 4°C / 39°F -3°C / 27°F 143 mm 11

Other cities with similar February weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Lake Tahoe in February →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Lake Tahoe in February?

In February, Lake Tahoe averages a high of 5°C (41°F) and a low of -3°C (27°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Lake Tahoe in February?

February sees occasional rain in Lake Tahoe, with about 9 rainy days on average.

Is February a good time to visit Lake Tahoe?

February is cold. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Lake Tahoe in February?

Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves. See the full February packing list for Lake Tahoe for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Lake Tahoe on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.