MontanaReservoir, 564 acres
Helena Valley Reservoir wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-4kt
SE, gusts 11
High 48°F, rain 8%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
6-13kt
SW, gusts 24
High 49°F, rain 10%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
2-6kt
SSE, gusts 16
High 50°F, rain 16%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
1-7kt
NNW, gusts 13
High 44°F, rain 9%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
1-2kt
N, gusts 8
High 45°F, rain 32%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0-1kt
WSW, gusts 6
High 48°F, rain 21%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
1-4kt
W, gusts 10
High 46°F, rain 35%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Helena Valley
Over the next 7 days on Helena Valley Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
Thursday 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.
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 Helena Valley, 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.
Helena Valley Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Helena Valley Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 48°F. Sunday: W wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Helena Valley Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with NNW wind around 1 to 7 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 Helena Valley 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 Helena Valley is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.