WashingtonNatural lake, 4,925 acres, Whatcom County
Lake Whatcom wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-4kt
W, gusts 3
High 54°F, rain 22%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
2-5kt
SSW, gusts 9
High 50°F, rain 97%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
1-3kt
E, gusts 7
High 48°F, rain 91%
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
1-3kt
NE, gusts 7
High 49°F, rain 43%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-2kt
NE, gusts 4
High 50°F, rain 15%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0-1kt
N, gusts 3
High 52°F, rain 7%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0-1kt
SSW, gusts 3
High 53°F, rain 5%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Whatcom
Over the next 7 days on Lake Whatcom, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 9 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
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 Whatcom, 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 Whatcom forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Whatcom this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: N wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 3 kt, high near 52°F. Sunday: SSW wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 3 kt, high near 53°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Whatcom this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with W wind around 1 to 4 kt and gusts near 3 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Whatcom 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 Whatcom is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.