IdahoReservoir, 11,783 acres
Lake Walcott wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
10-13kt
S, gusts 22
High 60°F, rain 61%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
3-8kt
WSW, gusts 12
High 52°F, rain 1%
Good -
WedOct 28
2-4kt
S, gusts 8
High 53°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
4-8kt
E, gusts 12
High 59°F, rain 3%
Good -
FriOct 30
3-6kt
S, gusts 12
High 55°F, rain 41%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3-4kt
SE, gusts 10
High 53°F, rain 48%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
8-10kt
WSW, gusts 18
High 51°F, rain 39%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Walcott
Over the next 7 days on Lake Walcott, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Sunday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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 Walcott 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 Walcott forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Walcott this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 53°F. Sunday: WSW wind 8 to 10 kt, gusts to 18 kt, high near 51°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Walcott this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with WSW wind around 8 to 10 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Walcott 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 Walcott is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- American Falls ReservoirReservoir, 55,320 ac, Idaho36 mi
- Little Wood River ReservoirReservoir, 578 ac, Idaho64 mi
- Magic ReservoirReservoir, 3,079 ac, Idaho67 mi
- Chesterfield ReservoirReservoir, 1,264 ac, Idaho72 mi
- Salmon Falls Creek ReservoirReservoir, 2,887 ac, Idaho83 mi
- Mormon ReservoirReservoir, 1,440 ac, Idaho84 mi