7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-6kt
ENE, gusts 10
High 82°F, rain 0%
Good -
TueOct 27
3-6kt
ESE, gusts 10
High 82°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-6kt
ESE, gusts 10
High 84°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-6kt
E, gusts 11
High 84°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
3-6kt
E, gusts 10
High 82°F, rain 9%
Good -
SatOct 31
3-6kt
SE, gusts 12
High 83°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SunNov 1
3-5kt
W, gusts 8
High 85°F, rain 11%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Charles
Over the next 7 days on Lake Charles, the windiest stretch looks like Saturday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.
Monday 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 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.
On a lake the size of Charles, 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.
Lake Charles forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Charles this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 83°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: W wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 85°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Charles this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ENE wind around 3 to 6 kt and gusts near 10 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Charles 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 Charles is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.