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MontanaReservoir, 12,407 acres, Gallatin County

Hebgen Lake wind forecast

Hebgen Lake, Montana
Photo: Mweston85 at English Wikipedia, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-8kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 43°F, rain 44%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    5-8kt

    SSW, gusts 18

    High 35°F, rain 43%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-9kt

    SSW, gusts 20

    High 37°F, rain 2%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-7kt

    S, gusts 17

    High 42°F, rain 24%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    3-5kt

    SSE, gusts 14

    High 42°F, rain 52%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    2-3kt

    S, gusts 10

    High 42°F, rain 60%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    2-3kt

    SSW, gusts 9

    High 42°F, rain 50%

    Light wind

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 Hebgen

Over the next 7 days on Hebgen Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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.

Hebgen 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.

Hebgen Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Hebgen Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 42°F, 60% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 42°F, 50% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSW wind around 5 to 8 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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