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CaliforniaReservoir, 11,441 acres

Folsom Lake wind forecast

Folsom Lake, California
Photo: JazzD, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-8kt

    S, gusts 13

    High 67°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    3-4kt

    SW, gusts 9

    High 64°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    2-3kt

    WNW, gusts 8

    High 66°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-3kt

    SSW, gusts 8

    High 64°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    3-4kt

    S, gusts 10

    High 61°F, rain 5%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    3-4kt

    SSW, gusts 9

    High 57°F, rain 29%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    3-5kt

    NW, gusts 9

    High 59°F, rain 19%

    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 Folsom

Over the next 7 days on Folsom Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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.

Folsom Lake is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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.

Folsom Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Folsom Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 57°F. Sunday: NW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 59°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with S wind around 2 to 8 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 Folsom 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 Folsom is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.