What is the weather like in Santa Cruz, California vs South Lake Tahoe in January?

In January, Santa Cruz, California averages 17°C high / 6°C low with about 192 mm of rain; South Lake Tahoe averages 5°C high / -7°C low with about 85 mm.

Santa Cruz, California vs South Lake Tahoe in January

South Lake Tahoe is the better pick in January — 64 vs 54 on SeasonMap's comfort score. South Lake Tahoe is cold, rainy, clean air, while Santa Cruz, California is nice, soaked, clean air.

Santa Cruz, California vs South Lake Tahoe — January climate, side by side

	🇺🇸 Santa Cruz, California	🇺🇸 South Lake Tahoe
Comfort score	54/100 (D)	64/100 (C)
Feels-like high	16°C	1°C
Avg high / low	17° / 6°	5° / -7°
Rainfall	192 mm	85 mm
Rainy days	10	7
Humidity	81%	79%
Air quality (AQI)	34	42

Monthly climate normals (ERA5 reanalysis). Comfort scores are SeasonMap estimates.

Month by month

Santa Cruz, California vs South Lake Tahoe in January — FAQ

Is January better in Santa Cruz, California or South Lake Tahoe?: South Lake Tahoe is the better pick in January — 64 vs 54 on SeasonMap's comfort score. South Lake Tahoe is cold, rainy, clean air, while Santa Cruz, California is nice, soaked, clean air.
What is the weather like in Santa Cruz, California vs South Lake Tahoe in January?: In January, Santa Cruz, California averages 17°C high / 6°C low with about 192 mm of rain; South Lake Tahoe averages 5°C high / -7°C low with about 85 mm.