CaliforniaReservoir, 1,017 acres, Placer County
Hell Hole Reservoir wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
4-9kt
SW, gusts 22
High 59°F, rain 14%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
4-6kt
SW, gusts 16
High 59°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
2-4kt
SW, gusts 11
High 63°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
3-5kt
SW, gusts 15
High 59°F, rain 2%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
3-5kt
SW, gusts 16
High 55°F, rain 19%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3-4kt
SSW, gusts 12
High 52°F, rain 52%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-6kt
ENE, gusts 11
High 53°F, rain 33%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Hell Hole
Over the next 7 days on Hell Hole Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Tuesday 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 Hell Hole, 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.
Hell Hole Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Hell Hole Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 52°F, 52% chance of rain. Sunday: ENE wind 2 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 53°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Hell Hole Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 4 to 6 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Hell Hole 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 Hell Hole is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- French Meadows ReservoirReservoir, 1,420 ac, California4 mi
- Loon LakeReservoir, 993 ac, California7 mi
- Union Valley ReservoirReservoir, 2,735 ac, California14 mi
- Ice House ReservoirReservoir, 648 ac, California18 mi
- Donner LakeNatural lake, 840 ac, California18 mi
- Lake TahoeNatural lake, 124,047 ac, California20 mi