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South DakotaReservoir, 6,106 acres, Butte County

Belle Fourche Reservoir wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    12-15kt

    ESE, gusts 25

    High 42°F, rain 43%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    6-21kt

    W, gusts 34

    High 61°F, rain 0%

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    6-7kt

    NNW, gusts 14

    High 60°F, rain 1%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-9kt

    NE, gusts 15

    High 61°F, rain 2%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    10-15kt

    ESE, gusts 26

    High 56°F, rain 9%

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    6-9kt

    NNW, gusts 16

    High 57°F, rain 15%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-14kt

    ESE, gusts 24

    High 58°F, rain 39%

    Use caution

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 Belle Fourche

Over the next 7 days on Belle Fourche Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 34 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 7 kt.

Saturday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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.

On a lake the size of Belle Fourche, waves stay modest, but nearby hills, trees and buildings bend the wind. Expect shifts and puffs, especially close to shore, and treat the forecast speed as an average across open water.

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.

Belle Fourche Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Belle Fourche Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NNW wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 57°F. Sunday: ESE wind 6 to 14 kt, gusts to 24 kt, high near 58°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Belle Fourche Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with NNW wind around 6 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 Belle Fourche Reservoir 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 Belle Fourche is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.