Reno is located at the western border of Nevada—in a valley known as the Truckee Meadows—about 20 miles east of the Sierra Nevada mountains and Lake Tahoe, the second largest alpine lake in the world. The Truckee River passes between Reno and its sister city, Sparks. Temperatures in the region are mild, but can fluctuate as much as 45 degrees between day and night. The temperature at night during the summer rarely rises above 60 degrees. More than half the annual precipitation falls from December to March, in the form of mixed snow and rain, with snow accumulation seldom lasting longer than three or four days. Low humidity and sunny skies are prevalent throughout the year.
| 69.34 square miles (2000) | |
| 4,400 feet above sea level | |
| January, 33.3° F; August, 69.8° F; annual average: 51.1° F | |
| 7.29 inches of rain, 23.1 inches of snow |
