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First and last freeze dates in South Lake Tahoe, CA

The first freeze of fall (a low of 32°F or colder) typically comes around Aug 31, and the last freeze of spring around Jun 20.

This fall so far (data through Oct 16, 2026): first freeze (32°F or colder) Sep 7 at this station. Observed data, can lag a day or two.

Aug 31Median first fall freeze (≤32°F)

Jun 20Median last spring freeze (≤32°F)

74Median freeze-free days between

First and last freeze dates in South Lake Tahoe

Threshold	Event	Median date	Typical range (10th–90th pct)	Earliest / latest	Years with one
32°F or colder (freeze)	First in fall	Aug 31	Aug 14 – Sep 22	Aug 7 (2002) / Oct 5 (2011)	100%
32°F or colder (freeze)	Last in spring	Jun 20	Jun 8 – Jul 14	–	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	First in fall	Sep 26	Sep 4 – Oct 24	Aug 22 (1998) / Oct 30 (2015)	100%
28°F or colder (hard freeze)	Last in spring	May 31	May 6 – Jun 16	–	100%

Based on the station’s daily minimum temperature, 1995–2024. “Freeze” here means a daily low at or below the threshold, which is not the same as visible frost. Your yard can differ by several degrees and days from an airport weather station, so use these as planning odds, not guarantees.

The median stretch between the last spring freeze and the first fall freeze (the freeze-free season) was about 74 days.

Nearby weather stations

Source station: S Lake Tahoe Ap (USW00093230), elevation 6,257 ft. Data: NOAA NCEI GHCN-Daily. Computed by First Snow Dates; how we calculate this. Historical averages only; for a forecast see weather.gov.

Planning for winter? Heat pump vs gas furnace, propane and oil: heating cost in California (on our sister site PlugVsPump, from EIA prices).