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IllinoisReservoir, 2,904 acres, Macon County

Lake Decatur wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-2kt

    SSE, gusts 4

    High 76°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    2-7kt

    S, gusts 11

    High 74°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-8kt

    S, gusts 11

    High 75°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-10kt

    SW, gusts 15

    High 80°F, rain 8%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    3-7kt

    ESE, gusts 9

    High 78°F, rain 11%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    4-7kt

    SE, gusts 10

    High 73°F, rain 30%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-6kt

    S, gusts 10

    High 71°F, rain 33%

    Good

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 Decatur

Over the next 7 days on Lake Decatur, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 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 Decatur, 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 Decatur forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Decatur this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 73°F. Sunday: S wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 71°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SW wind around 5 to 10 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 Decatur 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 Decatur is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.