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Weather & Climate in Tahoe Vista, CA

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Tahoe Vista has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 63°F in July. The area gets 326 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 29.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 48. The city sits at an elevation of 6,485 feet.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-2°C) 63°F Jul (17°C)
Annual Average43.1°F
20% below US avg
January Average28°F (-2°C)
July Average63°F (17°C)
Sunny Days326 days/yr

Geography

Elevation6,485 ft (1,977 m)
Area2.7 sq mi (7.0 km²)
Population Density302/sq mi
Coordinates39.2468°N, 120.0586°W
TimezoneAmerica/Los_Angeles
CountySierra County County
Nearest AirportReno/Tahoe International (RNO)
23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 29.2"
23% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jan) 5.31"
Driest Month (Jul) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median48.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score31.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability63.2 / 100
Community Resilience31.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Relatively Moderate
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave No Rating
Landslide Relatively Moderate
Volcano Very Low
Avalanche Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2,952 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M6.1.

Sep 12, 1994 4 km S of Carter Springs, Nevada M6.1 59 km 14 km
Jul 8, 2021 Antelope Valley, CA M6.0 95 km 7 km
May 24, 2013 2 km NNE of Canyondam, California M5.7 136 km 8 km
May 11, 2023 Lake Almanor Earthquake M5.5 139 km 6 km
Aug 10, 2001 3 km N of Blairsden, California M5.2 79 km 5 km
May 12, 2023 4km NW of Canyondam, CA M5.2 138 km 6 km
Sep 12, 1994 8 km ESE of Mesa Vista, California M5.1 61 km -1 km
Apr 26, 2008 1 km NW of Mogul, Nevada M5.1 32 km 3 km
Jul 8, 2021 32km SE of Markleeville, CA M5.0 95 km 7 km
Dec 22, 1995 California-Nevada border region M4.9 69 km 4 km
May 24, 2013 1km NNW of Canyondam, CA M4.9 136 km 4 km
Oct 30, 1998 4 km N of Tahoe Vista, California M4.8 4 km 1 km
Oct 1, 2011 7 km SSE of Schurz, Nevada M4.8 118 km 4 km
Feb 10, 1993 28 km SW of Empire, Nevada M4.8 137 km 5 km
Dec 28, 1995 9 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada M4.8 69 km -1 km
Apr 26, 2008 0 km N of Mogul, Nevada M4.8 33 km 3 km
Jun 26, 2005 8 km NNW of Tahoe Vista, California M4.8 7 km -2 km
Apr 26, 2008 27km SE of Smith Valley, NV M4.7 107 km 4 km
Dec 23, 1995 8 km WNW of Topaz Lake, Nevada M4.7 68 km -1 km
Mar 9, 2007 13 km SE of Walker, California M4.7 109 km 7 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

24 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF1. Total: 2 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 15, 2020 EF1 53 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 14, 2020 EF1 54 km 0.4 mi 0
Oct 22, 2012 EF1 92 km 4.0 mi 0
Jul 16, 1973 EF1 46 km 1.0 mi 0
May 26, 1964 EF1 79 km 2.0 mi 0
Sep 21, 2017 EF0 24 km 0.4 mi 0
Sep 13, 2017 EF0 11 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 20, 2015 EF0 78 km 3.2 mi 0
Jul 8, 2015 EF0 31 km 2.7 mi 0
Apr 27, 2005 EF0 29 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 24, 2004 EF0 47 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 2, 2003 EF0 31 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 2, 2003 EF0 10 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 1, 2002 EF0 50 km 0.1 mi 0
Feb 10, 2000 EF0 42 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 13, 1999 EF0 42 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 30, 1998 EF0 45 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 11, 1998 EF0 76 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 11, 1998 EF0 80 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 9, 1997 EF0 62 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Nearby Volcanoes

4 volcanoes within 200 km. Closest: Soda Lakes (107 km).

Name Type Elevation Last Eruption Distance
Soda Lakes Maar(s) 1,251 m (4,104 ft) Unknown 107 km
Mono Lake Volcanic Field Pyroclastic cone(s) 2,121 m (6,959 ft) 1790 165 km
Mono-Inyo Craters Lava dome(s) 2,796 m (9,173 ft) 1380 184 km
Lassen Volcanic Center Stratovolcano 3,187 m (10,456 ft) 1917 186 km
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CALDOR (226,583 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 CALDOR 226,583 62 km
2021 SUGAR 108,368 80 km
2014 KING 99,070 55 km
2017 TRUCKEE 98,411 94 km
2017 LONG VALLEY 80,456 84 km
2022 MOSQUITO 77,858 59 km
2021 TAMARACK 70,171 67 km
2018 PERRY 53,734 78 km
1994 COTTONWOOD 47,912 41 km
1999 FISH COMPLEX (FISH SPRINGS) 47,030 89 km
2020 LOYALTON 45,484 51 km
1987 CLARK 39,194 98 km
1988 49R 36,673 99 km
2018 DONNELL 36,151 98 km
2016 TULE 35,341 90 km
2017 EARTHSTONE 35,305 60 km
2020 NORTH 34,120 68 km
1985 GOOSEBERRY 29,290 64 km
2013 AMERICAN 27,938 47 km
2020 SLINK 26,437 91 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 28°F (-2°C) 5.3 in Coldest, Wettest
February 31°F (-1°C) 4.7 in
March 33°F (1°C) 4.1 in
April 38°F (3°C) 1.8 in
May 45°F (7°C) 1.3 in
June 53°F (12°C) 0.9 in
July 63°F (17°C) 0.4 in Warmest, Driest
August 61°F (16°C) 0.6 in
September 54°F (12°C) 0.9 in
October 46°F (8°C) 1.8 in
November 36°F (2°C) 4.0 in
December 30°F (-1°C) 4.3 in

Tahoe Vista has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 28°F in January to 63°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 30.0 inches, with January being the wettest month (5.3") and July the driest (0.4").

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