NebraskaReservoir, 2,207 acres, Gosper County
Johnson Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
10-12kt
NNE, gusts 21
High 54°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
TueOct 27
0-6kt
S, gusts 13
High 58°F, rain 18%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
1-5kt
SSW, gusts 12
High 67°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
2-3kt
E, gusts 9
High 65°F, rain 2%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
3-8kt
SE, gusts 17
High 66°F, rain 41%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
4-7kt
S, gusts 16
High 63°F, rain 27%
Good -
SunNov 1
5-6kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 62°F, rain 38%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Johnson
Over the next 7 days on Johnson Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 21 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Sunday 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.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Monday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.
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 Johnson, 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.
Johnson Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Johnson Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 63°F. Sunday: SSE wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 62°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Johnson Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with SSE wind around 5 to 6 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Johnson 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 Johnson is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Harry Strunk LakeReservoir, 1,727 ac, Nebraska29 mi
- Hugh Butler LakeReservoir, 1,496 ac, Nebraska51 mi
- Harlan County LakeReservoir, 12,822 ac, Nebraska53 mi
- Lake MaloneyReservoir, 1,585 ac, Nebraska54 mi
- Keith Sebelius LakeReservoir, 487 ac, Kansas62 mi
- Sherman ReservoirReservoir, 2,435 ac, Nebraska66 mi