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WashingtonReservoir, 26,886 acres

Banks Lake wind forecast

Banks Lake, Washington
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Williamborg assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain

7-day outlook

Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-5kt

    SW, gusts 8

    High 52°F, rain 67%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    3-9kt

    SW, gusts 18

    High 54°F, rain 7%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-9kt

    SSW, gusts 16

    High 49°F, rain 44%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-7kt

    NE, gusts 13

    High 45°F, rain 51%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    2-5kt

    NNE, gusts 9

    High 44°F, rain 31%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    2-4kt

    NNW, gusts 8

    High 45°F, rain 9%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    NW, gusts 8

    High 46°F, rain 6%

    Light wind

Hour by hour, next 3 days

Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

This week on Banks

Over the next 7 days on Banks Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Reading a lake wind forecast

Sustained wind is the average over a couple of minutes; gusts are the short peaks. On inland water the gap between the two matters as much as the average. A steady 12 kt is a pleasant sail, while 8 kt gusting 20 kt knocks small boats flat and tires out paddlers.

Banks Lake is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

The National Weather Service forecast covers a 2.5 km grid, so local effects like a sea breeze off a big lake, a cold front or afternoon thunderstorms can arrive earlier or stronger than shown. Check the forecast again on the morning you go, and keep an eye on small craft advisories.

Banks Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Banks Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NNW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 45°F. Sunday: NW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Banks Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SSW wind around 4 to 9 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Banks Lake wind forecast come from?

From the National Weather Service gridded forecast for the 2.5 km cell over the lake. It is the same forecast local NWS offices use, updated several times a day. We convert wind to knots and add our own go or no-go call for each activity.

What wind is too strong for a kayak or paddleboard?

We flag paddling as risky once sustained wind passes about 8 kt or gusts pass 12 kt, and advise staying ashore above 12 kt sustained or 18 kt gusts. Offshore wind is the most dangerous because it pushes you away from the launch.

Nearby lakes

If Banks is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.