NOAA Tahoe City averages about 179 inches of snow a seasonFreeze-thaw Tahoe City averages about 171 freeze-thaw days a year in our count of NOAA dataChain controls Caltrans posts R1, R2 and R3 chain controls on I-80 and U.S. 50Lake Tahoe Caltrans uses brine, salt and low-fines sand in the basin under a lake clarity planEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during itNOAA Tahoe City averages about 179 inches of snow a seasonFreeze-thaw Tahoe City averages about 171 freeze-thaw days a year in our count of NOAA dataChain controls Caltrans posts R1, R2 and R3 chain controls on I-80 and U.S. 50Lake Tahoe Caltrans uses brine, salt and low-fines sand in the basin under a lake clarity planEst. treated salt Pre-treated bulk salt usually runs $20–$50 a ton over plain rock saltEst. salt brine Salt brine by the gallon: roughly $0.20–$0.40, before deliveryEst. bagged rock salt Pallet of 49 × 50 lb rock salt bags: roughly $240–$330Est. ice melt pallet Pallet of 49 × 50 lb blended ice melt: roughly $430–$600Rule of thumb Plain rock salt slows way down below about 15°F pavement temperatureFall pre-buy Lock in tons and pickup or delivery before the first storm, not during it

Price figures are estimates from public bids and published price lists, not quotes. Where these numbers come from

Home › Snow & Ice Guide › How a Truckee-Tahoe winter unfolds

How a Truckee-Tahoe winter unfolds

Tahoe City snowfall, freeze-thaw counts, chain controls and the season month by month.

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A Truckee and North Tahoe winter brings huge Pacific storms, long dry spells with hard overnight freezes, and freeze-thaw nearly every day. Here's how a typical season tends to go. Any given year can differ.

Snowfall and freeze-thaw

PlaceAverage seasonal snowfallFreeze-thaw days a year
Tahoe City179 in171.1

Snowfall: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 normals.1 Freeze-thaw days: our count of days with a high above 32°F and a low below 32°F in NOAA GHCN-Daily records, 1991–2020 average.2 Truckee shows even more freeze-thaw days (about 202 a year, on 17 years of records).

The season, month by month

October to November: gear up

Buy chains, shovels and ice melt before the first storm and chain controls.

December to February: storm season

Atmospheric rivers can drop feet of snow. Clear roofs and decks; carry chains.

Between storms: freeze-thaw

Sunny days melt; nights refreeze drives and steps. Melt and traction on walks.

March to April: spring storms

Big late storms are common. Keep supplies stocked.

Next in the guideStorm-readiness checklist →

Sources

  1. NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals
  2. NOAA NCEI Global Historical Climatology Network-Daily (GHCN-Daily), station daily max/min temperatures 1991–2020

Figures are quoted from the sources above. Conditions on your sites vary; follow product labels and your own calibration.

Talk to real snow people

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Talk to people who've run plows at 3 a.m. We know what it's like when the shed is empty, the radar is lit up and your clients expect dry walks by 7. Tell us what you need, and you'll get a straight answer and a written quote, not a sales pitch.

  • Fast delivery. Bulk dropped at your site, sized to your season, so you don't need a salt barn.
  • Storm-night loading. Extended loading hours when a big event hits.
  • Storm-priority list. Get in line for resupply before the storm, not during it.
  • See it first. Ask for a yard visit and see the treated salt in person.
  • Fall pre-buy and seasonal contracts. Lock in tons before the first flake.

Quotes are answered by a wholesale supplier serving Truckee, North Lake Tahoe and the Sierra. Final prices, minimums and delivery area are on your written quote.

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