Skip to content
lakeglance

MontanaReservoir, 12,423 acres, Big Horn County

Bighorn Lake wind forecast

Bighorn Lake, Montana
Photo: NPS staff, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-6kt

    S, gusts 11

    High 58°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    13-22kt

    SW, gusts 31

    High 58°F, rain 0%

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    7-18kt

    SSW, gusts 23

    High 59°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-7kt

    ENE, gusts 12

    High 58°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    1-5kt

    E, gusts 10

    High 55°F, rain 15%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    1-4kt

    SE, gusts 9

    High 57°F, rain 22%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    4-6kt

    WSW, gusts 11

    High 58°F, rain 39%

    Good

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 Bighorn

Over the next 7 days on Bighorn Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 31 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Thursday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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.

Bighorn 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.

Bighorn Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Bighorn Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 57°F. Sunday: WSW wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 58°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with ENE wind around 4 to 7 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Bighorn 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 Bighorn is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.