December weather forecast
South Lake Tahoe, CA

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The Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe, California, with a side view of the mountain slope
The Emerald Bay in South Lake Tahoe, California, with a side view of the mountain slope

Weather in December

December rounds off the year in South Lake Tahoe amidst a full-blown winter wonderland setting. With the heaviest snowfall of 22.09" (561mm), the city resembles a classic holiday card. It's the peak time for winter sports in South Lake Tahoe as ski lovers throng to the city. Despite the cold weather, the city huddles together to welcome the festive season and the coming year. December, thus, remains the statement-piece of South Lake Tahoe's winter impression.

Temperature

The coldest temperatures in South Lake Tahoe occur during December, when averages reach a peak of 35.8°F (2.1°C) and a low of 21°F (-6.1°C).

Humidity

The average relative humidity in December in South Lake Tahoe is 76%.

Rainfall

In South Lake Tahoe, in December, it is raining for 5.8 days, with typically 3.43" (87mm) of accumulated precipitation. In South Lake Tahoe, California, during the entire year, the rain falls for 67.1 days and collects up to 23.39" (594mm) of precipitation.

Snowfall

Months with snowfall are January through June, September through December. In South Lake Tahoe, in December, snow falls for 12.8 days, with typically accumulated 22.09" (561mm) of snow. Throughout the year, there are 76 snowfall days, and 113.98" (2895mm) of snow is accumulated.

Daylight

With an average of 9h and 30min of daylight, December has the shortest days of the year in South Lake Tahoe.
On the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:00 am and sunset at 4:38 pm. On the last day of December, sunrise is at 7:18 am and sunset at 4:48 pm PST.

Sunshine

The months with the least sunshine are January and December, with an average of 5.6h of sunshine.

UV index

The months with the lowest UV index in South Lake Tahoe are January through April, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 2. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a low health risk from unprotected exposure to Sun's UV rays for ordinary individuals.
Note: In December, the maximum UV index of 2 translates into these guidelines:
Most individuals can handle sun exposure for up to an hour without burning, but children must always be shielded from sun exposure. Being in direct Sun during midday can be harmful due to intense solar radiation; take precautions. For minimizing sun-related eye damage, always choose sunglasses with UVA and UVB coverage. Be cautious! The UV radiation from the Sun can be magnified almost twofold by snow reflection.

Frequently asked questions

What month is the coldest in South Lake Tahoe?

South Lake Tahoe's coldest month, December, generally records average temperatures ranging from a high of 35.8°F (2.1°C) to a low of 21°F (-6.1°C).

How cold is December in South Lake Tahoe?

South Lake Tahoe in December has an average high-temperature of 35.8°F (2.1°C) and an average low-temperature of 21°F (-6.1°C).

What is the average humidity in December in South Lake Tahoe?

The average relative humidity in December in South Lake Tahoe is 76%.

How much does it rain in South Lake Tahoe in December?

In December, the rain falls for 5.8 days. Throughout December, 3.43" (87mm) of precipitation is accumulated.

How many days does it snow in December in South Lake Tahoe?

In South Lake Tahoe, in December, snow falls for 12.8 days, with typically accumulated 22.09" (561mm) of snow.

What is the month with the shortest days in South Lake Tahoe?

December has the shortest days of the year in South Lake Tahoe, California, with an average of 9h and 30min of daylight.

What is the average length of the day in December in South Lake Tahoe?

In South Lake Tahoe, the average day length in December is 9h and 29min.

When are sunrise and sunset in December in South Lake Tahoe?

In December, on the first day of the month, sunrise is at 7:00 am and sunset at 4:38 pm. On the last day of the month, in South Lake Tahoe, California, sunrise is at 7:18 am and sunset at 4:48 pm PST.

What are the months with the least sunshine in South Lake Tahoe?

January and December, with an average of 5.6h of sunshine, are months with the least sunshine in South Lake Tahoe.

How many hours of sunshine does South Lake Tahoe have in December?

The average sunshine duration in December in South Lake Tahoe, California, is 5.6h.

What are the months with the lowest UV index in South Lake Tahoe?

The months with the lowest UV index in South Lake Tahoe, California, are January through April, November and December, with an average maximum UV index of 2.

What is the UV index intensity in December in South Lake Tahoe?

In December, the average daily maximum UV index is 2. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a low health risk from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation.
Average humidity
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average sunshine days
Average UV index
Average cloud cover
Average visibility

Average temperature in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average temperature in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average high temperature in December: 35.8°F

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (73.9°F).
The month with the lowest average high temperature is December (35.8°F).

  • Average low temperature in December: 21°F

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (46.8°F).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is December (21°F).

Average pressure in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average pressure in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average pressure in December: 30.15"Hg

The month with the highest atmospheric pressure is January (30.18"Hg).
The month with the lowest atmospheric pressure is June (29.91"Hg).

Average wind speed in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average wind speed in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average wind speed in December: 6.9mph

The windiest month (with the highest average wind speed) is March (7.6mph).
The calmest month (with the lowest average wind speed) is August (5.3mph).

Average humidity in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average humidity in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average humidity in December: 76%

The month with the highest relative humidity is March (81%).
The month with the lowest relative humidity is August (42%).

Average rainfall in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average rainfall in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average rainfall in December: 3.43"

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is March (4.25").
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is August (0.28").

Average rainfall days in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average rainfall days in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average rainfall days in December: 5.8 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is May (10 days).
The month with the least rainy days is February (3.5 days).

Average snowfall in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average snowfall in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average snowfall in December: 22.09"

The month with the highest snowfall is March (27.24").
The months with the least snowfall are July and August (0").

Average snowfall days in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average snowfall days in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average snowfall days in December: 12.8 days

The month with the highest number of snowfall days is March (15 days).
The months with the least snowfall days are July and August (0 days).

Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average daylight in December: 9h and 3min

The month with the longest days is June (Average daylight: 14h and 54min).
The month with the shortest days is December (Average daylight: 9h and 30min).

  • Average sunshine in December: 5h and 4min

The month with the most sunshine is July (Average sunshine: 12h and 0min).
The months with the least sunshine are January and December (Average sunshine: 5h and 36min).

Average sunshine days in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average sunshine days in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average sunshine days in December: 17.4 days

The month with the most sunshine days is August (25.6 days).
The month with the least sunshine days is March (13.3 days).

Average UV index in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average UV index in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average UV index in December: 2

The months with the highest UV index are June, July and August (UV index 5).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, March, April, November and December (UV index 2).

Average cloud cover in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average cloud cover in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average cloud cover in December: 39

The month with the most cloud cover is March (Cloud cover 43).
The months with the least cloud cover are July and August (Cloud cover 8).

Average visibility in December
South Lake Tahoe, CA

Average visibility in December - South Lake Tahoe, CA
  • Average visibility in December: 5mi

The months with the highest visibility are April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November (6mi).
The months with the lowest visibility are January, February, March and December (5mi).

South Lake Tahoe, California, USA

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