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IllinoisReservoir, 4,586 acres

Clinton Lake wind forecast

Clinton Lake, Illinois
Photo: Dual Freq, CC BY 2.5

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-3kt

    SE, gusts 4

    High 77°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    3-9kt

    S, gusts 11

    High 75°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-10kt

    S, gusts 13

    High 75°F, rain 1%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    7-13kt

    SW, gusts 17

    High 80°F, rain 13%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    4-8kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 77°F, rain 15%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-9kt

    SE, gusts 11

    High 74°F, rain 30%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-8kt

    SSE, gusts 10

    High 72°F, rain 33%

    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 Clinton

Over the next 7 days on Clinton Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Thursday 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.

On a lake the size of Clinton, 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.

Clinton Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Clinton Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: SSE wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 72°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SW wind around 7 to 13 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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