Region in California, United States
Air quality in Lake Tahoe
Fairly clean
The annual average PM2.5 in Lake Tahoe was 5.2 µg/m³ in 2022, about 1.0 times the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³. Wildfire smoke from California fires can make air unhealthy for days in late summer.
Key facts
- PM2.5: 5.2 µg/m³ yearly average (2022). Measured at Truckee Grass Valley CA, 29 km away.
- Worst months: Aug–Sep.
Air quality across United States
| Place | PM2.5 | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Maui | 2 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Honolulu | 3 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Kauai | 3 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Big Island | 3 µg/m³ | Meets the WHO guideline |
| Lake Tahoe | 5.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Portland | 5.8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Denver | 6 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Seattle | 6.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Miami | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Miami Beach | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Washington, D.C. | 6.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Boston | 6.4 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Orlando | 6.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| New York City | 7.1 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Philadelphia | 7.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Charleston | 7.3 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Nashville | 7.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Phoenix | 7.9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Scottsdale | 8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Napa Valley | 8 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| New Orleans | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| San Diego | 8.2 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Atlanta | 8.5 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Dallas | 8.5 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Chicago | 8.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Austin | 9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| San Antonio | 9 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Las Vegas | 9.7 µg/m³ | Fairly clean |
| Los Angeles | 10.5 µg/m³ | Moderate |
| Houston | 11.1 µg/m³ | Moderate |
Quick answers
Is the air in Lake Tahoe bad?
Fairly clean: 5.2 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average, 1.0× the WHO guideline. It's usually worst in Aug–Sep.
When is the air worst in Lake Tahoe?
Wildfire smoke from California fires can make air unhealthy for days in late summer.
How does Lake Tahoe compare with the rest of United States?
People in United States breathe 7 µg/m³ of PM2.5 on average (2023, World Bank/WHO), against 5.2 µg/m³ measured here.
More about Lake Tahoe
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Sources
- WHO Ambient Air Quality Database
- WHO air quality guidelines (2021)
- Live air quality map (WAQI)
- Tahoe Transportation District (BlueGO)
- Reno–Tahoe International Airport
- Visit Lake Tahoe
Annual averages are measured values reported to the WHO; check a live map for today's air. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.