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lakeglance

New YorkNatural lake, 10,626 acres, Ontario County

Canandaigua Lake wind forecast

Canandaigua Lake, New York
Photo: Brampton Cyclist, CC BY 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-8kt

    WNW, gusts 16

    High 67°F, rain 2%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    2-4kt

    NE, gusts 7

    High 53°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    3-5kt

    SSE, gusts 9

    High 66°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-8kt

    SW, gusts 14

    High 72°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    3-7kt

    WNW, gusts 13

    High 67°F, rain 4%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    1-4kt

    W, gusts 8

    High 64°F, rain 5%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    4-7kt

    SSW, gusts 13

    High 65°F, rain 40%

    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 Canandaigua

Over the next 7 days on Canandaigua Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Thursday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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.

Canandaigua 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.

Canandaigua Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Canandaigua Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: W wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 64°F. Sunday: SSW wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 65°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SW wind around 5 to 8 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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