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CaliforniaReservoir, 414 acres

Lake Yosemite wind forecast

Lake Yosemite, California
Photo: MR1, CC BY 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-9kt

    NW, gusts 14

    High 72°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    6-7kt

    NW, gusts 12

    High 68°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-5kt

    NW, gusts 10

    High 69°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-3kt

    WSW, gusts 7

    High 68°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    4-5kt

    NW, gusts 9

    High 65°F, rain 2%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    4-5kt

    WNW, gusts 9

    High 60°F, rain 22%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    7-8kt

    NW, gusts 13

    High 59°F, rain 25%

    Good

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 Yosemite

Over the next 7 days on Lake Yosemite, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 14 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 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.

On a lake the size of Yosemite, 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 Yosemite forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Yosemite this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 60°F. Sunday: NW wind 7 to 8 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 59°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with NW wind around 7 to 8 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 Yosemite 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 Yosemite is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.