WashingtonNatural lake, 3,545 acres, Grays Harbor County
Lake Quinault wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-4kt
SSW, gusts 5
High 57°F, rain 33%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
0-8kt
WSW, gusts 10
High 54°F, rain 99%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
1-6kt
NE, gusts 5
High 49°F, rain 95%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
0-5kt
E, gusts 9
High 49°F, rain 76%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
0-4kt
ENE, gusts 7
High 52°F, rain 20%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0-2kt
E, gusts 4
High 55°F, rain 7%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0-1kt
ENE, gusts 3
High 57°F, rain 8%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Quinault
Over the next 7 days on Lake Quinault, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 10 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
Monday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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 Quinault, 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 Quinault forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Quinault this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: E wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 55°F. Sunday: ENE wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 3 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Quinault this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with SSW wind around 2 to 4 kt and gusts near 5 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Quinault 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 Quinault is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Wynoochee LakeReservoir, 989 ac, Washington14 mi
- Lake CushmanReservoir, 4,015 ac, Washington28 mi
- Lake CrescentNatural lake, 5,189 ac, Washington40 mi
- Lake OzetteNatural lake, 7,290 ac, Washington56 mi
- American LakeNatural lake, 1,092 ac, Washington66 mi
- Lake WashingtonNatural lake, 21,745 ac, Washington76 mi