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WashingtonReservoir, 33,359 acres, Chelan County

Lake Chelan wind forecast

Lake Chelan, Washington
Photo: David Ansley, CC BY 2.5

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-1kt

    SSE, gusts 6

    High 52°F, rain 52%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    0-5kt

    WSW, gusts 13

    High 54°F, rain 4%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 6

    High 48°F, rain 23%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-2kt

    NNE, gusts 8

    High 45°F, rain 56%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    0-1kt

    N, gusts 6

    High 44°F, rain 38%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 4

    High 45°F, rain 11%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 4

    High 46°F, rain 6%

    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 Chelan

Over the next 7 days on Lake Chelan, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 0 kt.

Sunday 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 Chelan 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 Chelan forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Chelan this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: wind 0 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 45°F. Sunday: wind 0 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Lake Chelan this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with wind around 0 to 0 kt and gusts near 4 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Lake Chelan 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 Chelan is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.