Reno Weather   by Mike McDougall
 

Reno, Nevada is located 26 miles north of the capital of Nevada, Carson City, and 22 miles northeast of beautiful Lake Tahoe, and is adjacent to Sparks. The 2000 census put Reno's population at 180,480, second highest in the state, behind Las Vegas. The latest population estimates for Reno put their population around 214,000, an impressive increase over 2000, but Henderson Nevada, a suburb of Las Vegas, has grown even faster and now exceeds Reno in population. The population of western Nevada near Reno now has a population of 650,000 and is growing rapidly.

Reno was once the legal gambling capital of the United States, but was eclipsed by Las Vegas in the early 1960's. Reno has seen a few casinos come and go, and unlike Las Vegas as one closes its not automatic that another, bigger hotel will take its place. That said, Reno is home to some outstanding casinos, including the Peppermill and Atlantis. Reno has also become an attractive housing market for Californians looking for more reasonably priced real estate, and for anyone looking for decent weather.

The most notable characteristic of Reno weather is the frequently wide spread between the daily high temperature and the daily low temperature. This spread is about 25 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and widens to over 40 degrees in the summer. Towards the end of July the daily high in Reno is typically over 90, while the low is barely above 50. Reno's high elevation and low humidity are the major causes of this wide difference in daily temperatures.

Winters are cool in Reno, with high temperatures in the mid-40's and lows in the low to mid-20's. Snow is common, but heavy snows and blizzards are not, although Reno averages one ten inch snowstorm per decade over the past 100 years. Great skiing is close by in the Lake Tahoe area. The spring weather in Reno tends to be dry and cool. Daytime high temperatures start in the 50's in the beginning of spring and climb over 70 by the end of spring. Summers are warm but rarely oppressive. July and August are the driest months of the year in Reno. The temperatures drop and the chance of rain climb in the fall, especially near the end of the season.

The highest temperature measured in Reno Nevada was 108 in July 2002, and the lowest measured temperature was -19 in January 1890.
 
 

About the Author

Mike McDougall has created a number of weather related websites, including Reno Weather.