ArkansasReservoir, 39,537 acres
Lake Ouachita wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-3kt
ESE, gusts 8
High 77°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
0-3kt
SE, gusts 8
High 77°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
0-4kt
SSE, gusts 9
High 81°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
0-3kt
SSE, gusts 8
High 81°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
1-2kt
ESE, gusts 8
High 76°F, rain 10%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-4kt
SE, gusts 10
High 75°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SunNov 1
2-4kt
SW, gusts 10
High 80°F, rain 17%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Ouachita
Over the next 7 days on Lake Ouachita, the windiest stretch looks like Saturday, with gusts to about 10 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.
Sunday 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.
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.
Lake Ouachita 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 Ouachita forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Ouachita this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 75°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 80°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Ouachita this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with SW wind around 2 to 4 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 Ouachita 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 Ouachita is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.