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NebraskaReservoir, 1,263 acres, Dawes County

Box Butte Reservoir wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-8kt

    NNE, gusts 12

    High 41°F, rain 77%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    11-21kt

    WSW, gusts 32

    High 62°F, rain 0%

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    4-10kt

    WNW, gusts 16

    High 65°F, rain 5%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-8kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 68°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    4-8kt

    SSE, gusts 15

    High 65°F, rain 17%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    4-7kt

    W, gusts 13

    High 62°F, rain 14%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    4-9kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 61°F, rain 43%

    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 Box Butte

Over the next 7 days on Box Butte Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 32 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 7 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Box Butte, 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.

Box Butte Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Box Butte Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: W wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 62°F. Sunday: SSE wind 4 to 9 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 61°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Box Butte Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with WNW wind around 4 to 10 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 Box Butte 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 Box Butte is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.