ColoradoReservoir, 2,486 acres, Weld County
Empire Reservoir wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
5-10kt
NNE, gusts 16
High 57°F, rain 56%
Good -
TueOct 27
2-9kt
E, gusts 16
High 66°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
4-7kt
ENE, gusts 14
High 68°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-7kt
SE, gusts 14
High 66°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
2-7kt
ESE, gusts 14
High 67°F, rain 7%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3-5kt
E, gusts 12
High 64°F, rain 16%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
4-13kt
SE, gusts 23
High 63°F, rain 30%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Empire
Over the next 7 days on Empire Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Sunday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.
Monday 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 Empire, 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.
Empire Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Empire Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: E wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 64°F. Sunday: SE wind 4 to 13 kt, gusts to 23 kt, high near 63°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Empire Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NNE wind around 5 to 10 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Empire 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 Empire is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.