CaliforniaReservoir, 28,170 acres, Plumas County
Lake Almanor wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-11kt
WSW, gusts 20
High 54°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
1-5kt
WSW, gusts 13
High 55°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
0-3kt
SW, gusts 8
High 59°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
1-7kt
SW, gusts 17
High 55°F, rain 2%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
0-7kt
SSW, gusts 17
High 50°F, rain 7%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
1-3kt
SSW, gusts 11
High 46°F, rain 38%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0-3kt
ENE, gusts 7
High 49°F, rain 24%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Almanor
Over the next 7 days on Lake Almanor, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Monday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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.
Lake Almanor 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.
Lake Almanor forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Almanor this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: ENE wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 49°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Almanor this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with WSW wind around 1 to 11 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Almanor 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 Almanor is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Butt Valley ReservoirReservoir, 1,560 ac, California7 mi
- Mountain Meadows ReservoirReservoir, 4,840 ac, California11 mi
- McCoy Flat ReservoirReservoir, 1,408 ac, California18 mi
- Bucks LakeReservoir, 1,731 ac, California25 mi
- Little Grass Valley ReservoirReservoir, 1,394 ac, California37 mi
- Eagle LakeNatural lake, 23,969 ac, California39 mi