New HampshireReservoir, 1,934 acres, Coos County
Lake Francis wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-3kt
WNW, gusts 6
High 52°F, rain 20%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
1-3kt
NW, gusts 6
High 42°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
0-1kt
WSW, gusts 2
High 49°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
1-3kt
SW, gusts 6
High 60°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
W, gusts 8
High 55°F, rain 38%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0-3kt
WNW, gusts 6
High 52°F, rain 9%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0-2kt
WSW, gusts 4
High 54°F, rain 21%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Francis
Over the next 7 days on Lake Francis, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 8 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
Tuesday 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 Francis, 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 Francis forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Francis this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 52°F. Sunday: WSW wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 54°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Francis this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with W wind around 2 to 4 kt and gusts near 8 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Francis 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 Francis is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- First Connecticut LakeNatural lake, 3,071 ac, New Hampshire6 mi
- Second Connecticut LakeReservoir, 1,102 ac, New Hampshire12 mi
- Aziscohos LakeReservoir, 6,917 ac, Maine17 mi
- Umbagog LakeNatural lake, 7,858 ac, New Hampshire24 mi
- Cupsuptic LakeNatural lake, 2,707 ac, Maine25 mi
- Upper Richardson LakeNatural lake, 4,648 ac, Maine27 mi