September checklist
- Finish defensible space work while the ground is open
- Inspect large trees for cracks, dead limbs and lean
- Book removals, crane work and stump grinding before winter
- Call about firewood availability and pricing early
- Keep watering until the soil freezes
- Clear leaves and needles from Zone 0 as they drop
- Ask whether your address is on a snow service route
The Reno airport drops from a 75.1 F August mean to 67.0 F in September, and Carson City falls from 70.2 F to 63.1 F. The ground is still dry and open, which makes this a good month for clearing and inspection.
September weather at five stations
Precipitation stays near 0.2 inches at every valley station: 0.21 at the Reno airport and Minden, 0.24 at Carson City and 0.19 at Fallon. Glenbrook has 0.28 inches. No station records snow in September.
| Station (elevation, ft) | Mean temp (F) | Precip (in.) | Snow (in.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reno airport (4,410) | 67.0 | 0.21 | 0.0 |
| Carson City (4,761) | 63.1 | 0.24 | 0.0 |
| Minden (4,709) | 61.8 | 0.21 | 0.0 |
| Glenbrook (Tahoe) (6,350) | 58.2 | 0.28 | no normal |
| Fallon (3,965) | 63.6 | 0.19 | 0.0 |
Station normals, not town averages. NOAA flags Glenbrook's temperature normals as reduced completeness and publishes no snowfall normal there.
What the trees are doing
Cooler nights start to slow growth, and some species begin to color and drop leaves. Trees are still using water. Do not stop irrigating because the weather has cooled: keep watering until the soil freezes, then follow University of Nevada, Reno Extension's winter schedule.
Jobs that fit September
Finish the defensible space work you started in spring. See defensible space work to finish before winter. Large removals and crane work are easier to schedule before the first storms. A walk with a certified arborist now, while leaves are on, shows which limbs carry the most weight over a roof or drive. Hazards and dead wood come out any time.
Firewood and snow, early
Firewood bought in September has months to season. Penn State Extension puts drying at 6 to 12 months to reach about 20 percent moisture, which is why timing matters. Call the office for availability and pricing. If you want snow service, call before the season and ask whether your address is on the route. See how to season and stack firewood and firewood season in Carson City.
Valley versus lake
Glenbrook falls from 63.2 F in August to 58.2 F, a 5-degree drop, against 8 at Reno, so autumn arrives more slowly on the lake. TRPA permits and fire district rules still govern removals in the Tahoe Basin. Call 775.232.8243 to book fall work; the phone is staffed seven days a week and estimates are free.
Sources
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, monthly (Reno airport USW00023185, Carson City USC00261485, Minden USC00265191, Glenbrook USC00263205, Fallon Exp Stn USC00262780) (pulled October 17, 2026)
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Should I Water my Trees in the Winter? (Jensen, 2026) (read October 17, 2026)
- University of Nevada, Reno Extension: Living With Fire (SP-23-07) (read October 17, 2026)
- Penn State Extension: Heating with Wood, An Introduction (updated June 15, 2026) (read October 17, 2026)