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North CarolinaNatural lake, 8,840 acres, Columbus County

Lake Waccamaw wind forecast

Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-6kt

    NNE, gusts 12

    High 72°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    3-4kt

    NE, gusts 8

    High 73°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    6-7kt

    NE, gusts 13

    High 74°F, rain 1%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-7kt

    NE, gusts 10

    High 76°F, rain 2%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    2-5kt

    NE, gusts 9

    High 78°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    4-5kt

    ENE, gusts 9

    High 77°F, rain 3%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    3-6kt

    ENE, gusts 10

    High 76°F, rain 31%

    Use caution

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 Waccamaw

Over the next 7 days on Lake Waccamaw, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and 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 Waccamaw, 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 Waccamaw forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Waccamaw this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 77°F. Sunday: ENE wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 76°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with NE wind around 6 to 7 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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