Truckee & Donner Lake, CA

Home / Locations / California / Truckee & Donner Lake, CA
Donner Memorial State Park
Donner Memorial State Park - Joe Parks from Berkeley, CA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Today’s Forecast:

🌧
39°F
High: 44° | Low: 21°
Current Temperature
Light Rain and Fog/Mist
Station: KTRK
Observed at: 3:48 pm CST on 11/13/26
Wind: 14 mph | Humidity: 87%
⚠️
Winter Storm Warning
Winter Storm Warning issued November 13 at 1:32AM PST until November 14 at 10:00AM PST by NWS Reno NV (Expires: November 14, 2026 12:00 pm)
Show Alert Details & Instructions
Description: * CHANGES...None. * WHAT...Heavy wet snow. Snow accumulations near 12 inches above 7000 feet, with up to 6 inches below 7000 feet. Snow accumulations up to 20 inches along the crest west of Lake Tahoe. Wind gusts of 70 to 90 mph over ridges and gusts of 45 to 55 mph for Truckee and Lake Tahoe communities. Wave heights 2 to 5 feet on Lake Tahoe. * WHERE...Greater Lake Tahoe Area. * WHEN...From 10 AM this morning to 10 AM PST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Friday evening commute. Strong winds and Sierra cement snow could cause damage to trees and power lines. Strong winds and rough waves on Lake Tahoe will create hazardous conditions for small watercraft. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...A burst of heavy snow is likely with this system late this afternoon into the evening with snow levels falling to as low as 5500 feet. Instructions: If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

This Afternoon:Rain and snow. Cloudy. High near 44, with temperatures falling to around 35 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Tonight:Rain and snow before 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around one inch possible.
Saturday:Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Southwest wind 0 to 5 mph.

Advertisement

Today’s Report:

🥾 Hiking

Good
  77 /100

Good for hiking. High near 44°F. Low rain risk (2%).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Good 77/100
Good for hiking. High near 44°F. Low rain risk (6%). Light wind (15 mph).

🚲 Biking

Not Recommended
  20 /100

Not Recommended for biking. High near 44°F. Low rain risk (2%). Temperatures outside comfort limits (44°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 19/100
Not Recommended for biking. High near 44°F. Low rain risk (6%). Breezy winds (15 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (44°F).

⛵ Boating

Not Recommended
  23 /100

Not Recommended for boating. High near 44°F. Low rain risk (2%). Temperatures outside comfort limits (44°F).

  • Temp: Unfavorable weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Not Recommended 12/100
Not Recommended for boating. High near 44°F. Low rain risk (6%). Breezy winds (15 mph). Temperatures outside comfort limits (44°F).


🛷 Sledding / Snowshoeing

Fair
  64 /100

Fair for sledding / snowshoeing. High near 44°F. Low rain risk (2%).

  • Temp: Marginal weather factor
  • Rain: Favorable conditions
  • Wind: Favorable conditions
  • Thunderstorm: Favorable conditions
Tomorrow's Outlook:
Fair 61/100
Fair for sledding / snowshoeing. High near 44°F. Low rain risk (6%). Breezy winds (15 mph).

About Truckee & Donner Lake

Truckee & Donner Lake is an outdoor-planning page for Truckee basin, Donner Lake, and Donner Summit. It has a distinct purpose centered on pass weather, snow, lake wind, boating, trails, and shoulder-season access, with the forecast used to choose the safest and most comfortable version of the day.

Make the Most of a Truckee & Donner Lake Day

Start by comparing conditions across Truckee, Donner Lake, and the rest of the coverage area. Choose among hiking, biking, boating based on wind, precipitation, temperature, visibility, water or trail conditions, road access, smoke, and available daylight.

Weather Tips for Truckee & Donner Lake

  • Conditions around Truckee basin, Donner Lake, and Donner Summit can differ sharply from nearby towns; pass weather, snow, lake wind, boating, trails, and shoulder-season access are the main planning variables.
  • Check wind, waves, current, tides where relevant, water temperature, and lightning before launching; keep a land-based alternative ready.
  • Check elevation-specific forecasts, snow and ice, chain controls, seasonal roads, cold nights, thunderstorms, wildfire smoke, and shoulder-season closures.
  • Crowds and parking can narrow the useful weather window, so arrive early and keep a lower-commitment nearby option.

Nearby Towns and Areas

This page covers Truckee basin, Donner Lake, and Donner Summit. It can also be useful when planning outdoor time near:

  • Donner Lake
  • Donner Memorial
  • Donner Summit
  • Boca Reservoir
  • Prosser Reservoir
  • Martis Valley

Plan Around the Conditions

Use the forecast to choose the best version of Truckee & Donner Lake rather than forcing one itinerary. A shorter route, earlier launch, sheltered shoreline, lower-elevation trail, or town-based backup can preserve the day when conditions change.

7-Day Forecast for Truckee & Donner Lake

🌧
39°F
High: 44° | Low: 21°
Current Temperature
Light Rain and Fog/Mist
Station: KTRK
Observed at: 3:48 pm CST on 11/13/26
Wind: 14 mph | Humidity: 87%
Fri ❄
44° 21°
99%
Sat ⛅
45° 22°
2%
Sun 🌧
46° 23°
54%
Mon ❄
39° 14°
63%
Tue ⛅
38° 14°
11%
Wed ❄
36° 17°
94%
Thu ❄
36° 11°
49%

7-Day High Temperature Trend

44° Fri 45° Sat 46° Sun 39° Mon 38° Tue 36° Wed 36° Thu

7-Day Low Temperature Trend

21° Fri 22° Sat 23° Sun 14° Mon 14° Tue 17° Wed 11° Thu

📊 7-Day Outdoor Outlook

Good Fair Poor 17 Fri 20 Sat 19 Sun 19 Mon 20 Tue 18 Wed 19 Thu
Forecast data from the National Weather Service  |  Last Updated: November 13, 2026 9:28 pm CST

Truckee & Donner Lake Weather by Season

Winter

At Truckee & Donner Lake, winter brings snow, icy roads, chain controls, limited trail access, and cold lake water. Storm wind can produce rough lake conditions even when shoreline recreation areas remain open.

Spring

Around Truckee basin, Donner Lake, and Donner Summit, spring is a mixed shoulder season with snow-covered higher trails, muddy lower routes, cold water, and roads or campgrounds reopening gradually. Warm days can increase snowmelt and runoff.

Summer

For pass weather, snow, lake wind, boating, trails, and shoulder-season access, summer supports the widest trail, beach, biking, and boating access, but afternoon lake wind, high-elevation sun, cold water, thunderstorms, smoke, and traffic all matter. Start water plans early.

Fall

Near Truckee and the surrounding area, early fall often brings clear trails and calmer mornings, followed by freezing nights and possible early snow. Services and seasonal roads may scale back before the main winter storms.

Key Climate Data Points

  • Warmest months: July and August.
  • Coolest months: December through February.
  • Wettest season: November through April, much of it as snow.
  • Driest season: July through September.
  • Best outdoor window: Late June through early fall for boating, hiking, and biking after snow and road checks.