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South CarolinaReservoir, 33,596 acres

Lake Hartwell wind forecast

Lake Hartwell, South Carolina
Photo: blahedo, CC BY-SA 2.5

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-6kt

    NE, gusts 10

    High 71°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    2-5kt

    ENE, gusts 8

    High 73°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    7-11kt

    ENE, gusts 15

    High 71°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-9kt

    NE, gusts 13

    High 74°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    4-6kt

    NE, gusts 9

    High 76°F, rain 1%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    4-8kt

    ENE, gusts 11

    High 74°F, rain 6%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    4-8kt

    ENE, gusts 12

    High 72°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore

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 Hartwell

Over the next 7 days on Lake Hartwell, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Sunday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

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.

Lake Hartwell 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.

Lake Hartwell forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Hartwell this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 4 to 8 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: ENE wind 4 to 8 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 72°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with ENE wind around 7 to 11 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 Lake Hartwell 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 Hartwell is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.