Skip to content
lakeglance

VirginiaReservoir, 49,421 acres

John H. Kerr Reservoir wind forecast

John H. Kerr Reservoir, Virginia
Photo: Bud Davis, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-2kt

    NW, gusts 4

    High 70°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    3-6kt

    NNE, gusts 9

    High 73°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-5kt

    NE, gusts 8

    High 69°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-2kt

    NE, gusts 3

    High 72°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 3

    High 76°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0-2kt

    ENE, gusts 8

    High 74°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    2-3kt

    E, gusts 9

    High 70°F, rain 34%

    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 John H. Kerr

Over the next 7 days on John H. Kerr Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 9 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 0 kt.

Tuesday 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.

John H. Kerr Reservoir is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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.

John H. Kerr Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for John H. Kerr Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: E wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 70°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on John H. Kerr Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with NNE wind around 3 to 6 kt and gusts near 9 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the John H. Kerr 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 John H. Kerr is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.