OregonReservoir, 2,301 acres, Wallowa County
Hells Canyon Reservoir wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
4-7kt
S, gusts 11
High 49°F, rain 91%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
5-7kt
S, gusts 11
High 46°F, rain 43%
Good -
WedOct 28
5-11kt
S, gusts 16
High 46°F, rain 15%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-5kt
S, gusts 10
High 50°F, rain 10%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
2-5kt
S, gusts 8
High 49°F, rain 22%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
1-3kt
S, gusts 6
High 49°F, rain 39%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-6kt
NW, gusts 11
High 50°F, rain 34%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Hells Canyon
Over the next 7 days on Hells Canyon Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Hells Canyon, 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.
Hells Canyon Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Hells Canyon Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 49°F. Sunday: NW wind 2 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 50°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Hells Canyon Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with S wind around 5 to 11 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 Hells Canyon 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 Hells Canyon is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.