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New MexicoReservoir, 1,303 acres

Cochiti Lake wind forecast

Cochiti Lake, New Mexico
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Pat Smith, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-4kt

    WNW, gusts 6

    High 63°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    0-8kt

    SW, gusts 11

    High 66°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    1-6kt

    SW, gusts 8

    High 65°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-3kt

    SE, gusts 6

    High 67°F, rain 23%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-4kt

    SSW, gusts 13

    High 64°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    1-5kt

    WSW, gusts 14

    High 63°F, rain 18%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    4-6kt

    SW, gusts 20

    High 60°F, rain 69%

    Use caution

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 Cochiti

Over the next 7 days on Cochiti Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Sunday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Tuesday 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.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Friday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

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 Cochiti, 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.

Cochiti Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Cochiti Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 63°F. Sunday: SW wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 20 kt, high near 60°F, 69% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 0 to 8 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 Cochiti 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 Cochiti is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.