South Lake Tahoe, CA Live Doppler Radar
Live radar for South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County: every NWS radar combined, rain, snow and ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and official warnings.
What weather hits South Lake Tahoe?
Since 1996, the National Weather Service has logged heavy snow or a winter storm on 364 days in the Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone and El Dorado County — the most common reported hazard around South Lake Tahoe, mostly in January and December. Next come high winds (161 days) and flooding (32 days).
| Hazard | Days reported | Most recent | Worst on record |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy snow & winter storms | 364 | Apr 2026 | Dec 20, 1996 · 2 deaths · $75,000 damage |
| High winds | 161 | Apr 2026 | Dec 11, 2014 · 1 death · $200,000 damage |
| Flooding | 32 | Apr 2026 | Jan 3, 2023 · 1 death |
| Avalanches | 16 | Feb 2026 | Feb 15, 2026 · 9 deaths |
| Debris flows | 13 | Oct 2021 | Feb 21, 2017 · $6.5 million damage |
| Blizzards | 4 | Jan 2021 | Mar 1, 2018 · 1 death |
| Wildfires | 3 | Jul 2017 | Jun 24, 2007 · $500 million damage |
| Flash flooding | 3 | Jul 2024 | Jan 1, 1997 · $10 million damage |
Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996–2026 (the latest year is partial). A "day" is a date with at least one report in the Greater Lake Tahoe Area forecast zone and El Dorado County; damage is as reported, not adjusted for inflation.
How much snow does South Lake Tahoe get?
A normal year brings about 22 inches of snow to South Lake Tahoe, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the Minden weather station 11.2 miles away. The snowiest month is usually January (5.6 in).
| Oct | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2 | 1.6 | 5.2 | 5.6 | 4.1 | 3.4 | 1.5 | 0.1 |
Normal snowfall in inches. TALON Pro compares this season's snow at your location with these normals as winter goes on.
Which radars cover South Lake Tahoe?
The closest NEXRAD Doppler radar is KRGX (Reno, NV), about 63 miles north-northeast. Radar beams climb as they travel, so the height of the lowest scan over town decides how low in a storm the radar can see.
| Radar | Distance | Lowest beam over South Lake Tahoe | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRGX Reno, NV | 63 mi north-northeast | 4,900 ft | Good — most storms and steady rain or snow show clearly |
| KDAX Sacramento, CA | 96 mi west-southwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
| KBBX Beale AFB, CA | 97 mi west-northwest | 9,100 ft | Fair — the beam can pass over shallow snow and low-level rotation |
Beam height is the center of the 0.5° scan above the radar, with standard refraction. Mountains near a radar can block it further.
Tornado & hail history near South Lake Tahoe
Since 1950, NOAA has recorded 5 tornadoes within 25 miles of South Lake Tahoe. Most came in September and August. The strongest was an EF0 on July 8, 2015, which touched down about 3 miles northwest of town. The most recent was an EF0 on September 21, 2017, which touched down about 7 miles north of town.
Hail: 20 reports of 1-inch or larger hail within 25 miles since 1955, 1 of them 2 inches or more; the largest was 2.00-inch hail on July 23, 2003.
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center — tornadoes 1950–2025, hail 1955–2025. Distances are to each tornado's track; ratings before February 2007 use the original Fujita scale.
On TALON you get South Lake Tahoe's live radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks with arrival times and NWS warnings free; close-up radar and rotation detection are part of TALON Pro.
South Lake Tahoe radar FAQ
Where is the nearest weather radar to South Lake Tahoe, CA?
KRGX (Reno, NV), about 63 miles north-northeast. KDAX (Sacramento, CA) is 96 miles away and also covers the area.
Does radar show snow in South Lake Tahoe?
Yes. TALON colors snow blue, a rain–snow mix pink and freezing rain purple using NOAA's precipitation-type analysis. Over South Lake Tahoe the lowest scan from KRGX is about 4,900 ft up.
Is TALON's radar for South Lake Tahoe free?
Yes — the US radar loop, rain/snow/ice colors, flash-flood risk, storm tracks and NWS warnings are free in any browser. Close-up radar, rotation detection and longer forecasts are part of TALON Pro.
Should I rely on radar for my safety?
No app replaces official warnings. When the National Weather Service issues a warning for South Lake Tahoe, follow it right away — see watch vs. warning.
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