ArkansasReservoir, 44,979 acres
Bull Shoals Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0-3kt
SE, gusts 9
High 75°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
0-3kt
SSE, gusts 9
High 75°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
1-5kt
SSE, gusts 11
High 79°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
1-3kt
S, gusts 9
High 81°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-3kt
SE, gusts 9
High 76°F, rain 9%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
1-4kt
SE, gusts 11
High 72°F, rain 47%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
1-4kt
WSW, gusts 10
High 77°F, rain 16%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Bull Shoals
Over the next 7 days on Bull Shoals Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 11 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Wednesday 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.
Bull Shoals 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.
Bull Shoals Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Bull Shoals Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 72°F. Sunday: WSW wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 77°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Bull Shoals Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SSE wind around 1 to 5 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 Bull Shoals 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 Bull Shoals is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.