ColoradoReservoir, 1,500 acres
Chatfield Reservoir wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-5kt
NE, gusts 8
High 60°F, rain 12%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
2-6kt
NNE, gusts 13
High 69°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
3-8kt
SE, gusts 17
High 70°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-6kt
E, gusts 12
High 68°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
3-7kt
ESE, gusts 13
High 68°F, rain 8%
Good -
SatOct 31
2-4kt
ENE, gusts 10
High 64°F, rain 14%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
3-6kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 63°F, rain 39%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Chatfield
Over the next 7 days on Chatfield Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Friday 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 Chatfield, 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.
Chatfield Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Chatfield Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 64°F. Sunday: SSE wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 63°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Chatfield Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with ESE wind around 3 to 7 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Chatfield 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 Chatfield is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.