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New JerseyReservoir, 2,494 acres

Lake Hopatcong wind forecast

Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey
Photo: Aleron235 ( Uploads ), CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-6kt

    WNW, gusts 11

    High 68°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    0-3kt

    NNE, gusts 10

    High 59°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    0-2kt

    SE, gusts 6

    High 60°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-5kt

    SW, gusts 13

    High 66°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    0-3kt

    WNW, gusts 10

    High 71°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0-2kt

    WSW, gusts 8

    High 67°F, rain 2%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-4kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 65°F, rain 51%

    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 Hopatcong

Over the next 7 days on Lake Hopatcong, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Monday 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 Hopatcong, 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.

Lake Hopatcong forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Hopatcong this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 67°F. Sunday: SSW wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 65°F, 51% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with WNW wind around 2 to 6 kt and gusts near 11 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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