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CaliforniaReservoir, 1,579 acres, Plumas County

Frenchman Lake wind forecast

Frenchman Lake, California
Photo: Scott Thompson, CC BY 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    12-18kt

    WSW, gusts 29

    High 55°F, rain 0%

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    2-9kt

    WSW, gusts 18

    High 55°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    1-3kt

    SW, gusts 9

    High 59°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-9kt

    SW, gusts 18

    High 56°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    4-10kt

    SW, gusts 20

    High 51°F, rain 5%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    2-5kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 46°F, rain 33%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    1-5kt

    NNE, gusts 11

    High 45°F, rain 27%

    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 Frenchman

Over the next 7 days on Frenchman Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 29 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Friday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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 Frenchman, 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.

Frenchman Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Frenchman Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: NNE wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 45°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with SW wind around 4 to 10 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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