TexasReservoir, 22,338 acres
Lake Buchanan wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-4kt
ESE, gusts 11
High 78°F, rain 2%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
3-6kt
SSE, gusts 15
High 78°F, rain 6%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
3-5kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 80°F, rain 13%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
4-7kt
SE, gusts 15
High 74°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
4-7kt
ESE, gusts 17
High 72°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SatOct 31
1-5kt
SSE, gusts 13
High 77°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SunNov 1
2-4kt
S, gusts 13
High 81°F, rain 12%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Buchanan
Over the next 7 days on Lake Buchanan, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 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.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Thursday, Friday, Saturday. 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.
Lake Buchanan 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 Buchanan forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Buchanan this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 77°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: S wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 81°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Buchanan this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSE wind around 3 to 6 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Buchanan 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 Buchanan is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.