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lakeglance

OregonReservoir, 3,593 acres, Linn County, Marion County

Detroit Lake wind forecast

Detroit Lake, Oregon
Photo: Bob Heims, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-6kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 50°F, rain 99%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    3-6kt

    WSW, gusts 12

    High 50°F, rain 90%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    5-9kt

    SW, gusts 15

    High 48°F, rain 99%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-3kt

    SSW, gusts 9

    High 48°F, rain 73%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-2kt

    SSW, gusts 7

    High 51°F, rain 18%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    1-2kt

    SW, gusts 7

    High 53°F, rain 9%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-3kt

    NE, gusts 7

    High 57°F, rain 9%

    Light wind

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 Detroit

Over the next 7 days on Detroit Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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 Detroit, 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.

Detroit Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Detroit Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 53°F. Sunday: NE wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SW wind around 5 to 9 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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