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IdahoReservoir, 13,881 acres, Washington County

Brownlee Reservoir wind forecast

Brownlee Reservoir, Idaho
Photo: US Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-13kt

    S, gusts 18

    High 53°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    5-8kt

    SSW, gusts 11

    High 50°F, rain 19%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-10kt

    SSW, gusts 16

    High 52°F, rain 9%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-4kt

    SSE, gusts 7

    High 54°F, rain 7%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-3kt

    SSW, gusts 6

    High 53°F, rain 14%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0-3kt

    NNE, gusts 5

    High 52°F, rain 36%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-2kt

    WNW, gusts 4

    High 53°F, rain 31%

    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 Brownlee

Over the next 7 days on Brownlee Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Tuesday 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.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Monday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

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.

Brownlee Reservoir 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.

Brownlee Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Brownlee Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NNE wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 52°F. Sunday: WNW wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 53°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSW wind around 5 to 8 kt and gusts near 11 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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