IllinoisReservoir, 2,333 acres, Jackson County
Kinkaid Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-3kt
SSW, gusts 6
High 77°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
0-4kt
S, gusts 7
High 76°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
1-6kt
S, gusts 10
High 77°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
3-7kt
SSW, gusts 12
High 80°F, rain 0%
Good -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
S, gusts 7
High 79°F, rain 3%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-5kt
SE, gusts 8
High 75°F, rain 31%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-5kt
SSE, gusts 9
High 75°F, rain 35%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Kinkaid
Over the next 7 days on Kinkaid Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Thursday 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 Kinkaid, 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.
Kinkaid Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Kinkaid Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 75°F. Sunday: SSE wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 75°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Kinkaid Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSW wind around 3 to 7 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Kinkaid 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 Kinkaid is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.