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South DakotaReservoir, 309,913 acres

Lake Oahe wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    12-14kt

    ENE, gusts 22

    High 41°F, rain 98%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    7-17kt

    SSE, gusts 25

    High 58°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    4-7kt

    NNW, gusts 15

    High 58°F, rain 8%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-10kt

    SE, gusts 17

    High 59°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    10-13kt

    ESE, gusts 21

    High 59°F, rain 20%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    8-10kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 59°F, rain 30%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    8-10kt

    ESE, gusts 19

    High 60°F, rain 28%

    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 Oahe

Over the next 7 days on Lake Oahe, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 7 kt.

Saturday 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.

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 Oahe 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 Oahe forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Oahe this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 8 to 10 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 59°F. Sunday: ESE wind 8 to 10 kt, gusts to 19 kt, high near 60°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with SSE wind around 8 to 10 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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