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MontanaReservoir, 5,007 acres, Hill County

Fresno Reservoir wind forecast

Fresno Reservoir, Montana
Photo: United States Bureau of Reclamation, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    12-15kt

    E, gusts 22

    High 50°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    3-12kt

    WSW, gusts 20

    High 49°F, rain 55%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-9kt

    WNW, gusts 16

    High 50°F, rain 5%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-6kt

    N, gusts 10

    High 41°F, rain 5%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    5-9kt

    E, gusts 13

    High 41°F, rain 14%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    1-4kt

    SW, gusts 7

    High 45°F, rain 6%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    4-6kt

    WNW, gusts 11

    High 46°F, rain 25%

    Good

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 Fresno

Over the next 7 days on Fresno Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Friday 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 Fresno, 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.

Fresno Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Fresno Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 45°F. Sunday: WNW wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Fresno Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with E wind around 5 to 9 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 Fresno 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 Fresno is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.