Going to Tahoe Over the 2026 Presidents Day Weekend? What to Know About Snow, Fog and Travel Windows

After a dry start to the winter, Tahoe is finally getting some more much-needed snow — and just in time for the Presidents Day holiday weekend.

But before you head up over Donner Pass or to South Lake Tahoe, be aware that conditions this weekend might get a little dicey — with snowstorms potentially lasting more than a week.

Not only is the Bay Area expected to see a few inches of rain, but snow is already falling on the Sierra with more on the way on Sunday at lower-than-normal altitudes. All of which spells hazardous driving conditions that could start as low as 5,500 feet, just past Emigrant Gap on Donner Pass.

But the more worrisome news for Tahoe travelers comes later in the weekend, when a second — potentially stronger — storm could bear down on the region on Saturday.

And while it might bring a Valentine’s Day gift of powder for skiers and snowboarders, it could also make travel for those getting home from Tahoe on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday quite difficult, Caltrans spokesperson John O’Connell said.

If you’re one of those traveling to the mountains for the three-day weekend, keep reading for what to know about safety on the roads.

When will travel around Tahoe be hardest over the Presidents Day weekend?

“The weather will be worse on the back half of the weekend,” O’Connell said. “If you’re planning on heading back Monday, be prepared, because it’s gonna be a long haul for sure.”

That second storm, O’Connell said, could also be colder than the first. That would push the snow level down in altitude, meaning more of your route could have snowy and icy conditions, which could also bring longer chain controls and heavier traffic — on top of the already anticipated overload of holiday weekend travelers.

“Monday could be a really rough day coming back from the Sierra,” O’Connell said.

He said heading up early Friday morning is overall the best bet for travelers.

You might even consider hitting the road early on Saturday, too, when there could be a clear window with less traffic.

For anyone heading home during the bigger storm later in the weekend, O’Connell recommends “being patient — because it’s going to be a very long drive.”

Prepare for the worst

Make sure to pack emergency supplies like food, water, warm clothes, phone chargers, and carry a full tank of gas — or charge on an electric vehicle — and chains, O’Connell said.

Read our full guide on what to know and bring (including everything you need to know about chain installation) on a snowy Tahoe drive.

“If the snow is heavy and we have spinouts, then we have to hold traffic, and you’re sitting there for a while,” he said. “Just make sure you’re prepared for that.”

Especially given the heavier storm later in the weekend, don’t forget shovels and ice scrapers for your car — you don’t want to get snowed in at the ski resort parking lot, on your driveway or outside your hotel.

Check the weather (then check again)

The best way to know what conditions are like — and whether roads are even open is online — by checking the NWS Sacramento and NWS Reno X accounts and using Caltrans’ QuickMap app to get real-time road conditions and closures.

Familiarize yourself with QuickMap now, at home, to make sure you have all the right filters toggled. And be sure to check the app before setting off on your travels and — if it’s safe to do so — during your journey, as conditions and chain requirements can develop fast in the Tahoe area.

Don’t let warm, sunny and dry conditions in the Bay Area lull you into a false sense of security about the weather you’ll encounter up in the mountains.

The Department of Transportation also makes its network of road cameras available for you to monitor road conditions in real time. Use the map to find the area you want, and click/tap on the camera icons to open the live road cam.

Caltrans’ social media and the Truckee California Highway Patrol accounts are also updated frequently and are useful to find out about any chain control. And don’t forget that the very resort you’re visiting might have its own delays in opening or hazardous road conditions. You can check their social media accounts or websites for the latest operations information. 

Don’t forget about fog

Remember: Snow might not be the only hazard on the road.

This winter has also seen an abundance of tule fog — a low radiation fog that forms from the ground up, pronounced “too-lee” — plaguing Central Valley and Bay Area residents alike.

While O’Connell said he doesn’t expect the fog to be too heavy this weekend due to winds, “fog can kind of come out of nowhere,” he said, so it can be helpful to brush up on your safe fog driving tips: 

• Drive slower to make sure you can stop in time for unexpected hazards
• Drive with headlights on — low beams only
• Be extra careful in intersections, and roll down your window to hear if necessary
• Use your windshield wipers and defrost setting to clear away moisture
• Pay attention to the white lines on the road — those are called “fog lines” and can help keep you in the roadway

KQED’s Carly Severn contributed to this report.