ColoradoReservoir, 1,120 acres, Larimer County
Carter Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-5kt
ESE, gusts 8
High 56°F, rain 18%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
1-5kt
SE, gusts 12
High 65°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
2-6kt
S, gusts 14
High 67°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
0-4kt
SSE, gusts 10
High 64°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-4kt
E, gusts 9
High 65°F, rain 6%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0-3kt
SE, gusts 8
High 63°F, rain 20%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0-3kt
ENE, gusts 9
High 61°F, rain 50%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Carter
Over the next 7 days on Carter Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 14 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 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 Carter, 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.
Carter Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Carter Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 63°F. Sunday: ENE wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 61°F, 50% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Carter Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with S wind around 2 to 6 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 Carter 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 Carter is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.