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AlabamaReservoir, 13,367 acres, Chilton County, Coosa County, Shelby County, St. Clair County, Talladega County

Lay Lake wind forecast

Lay Lake, Alabama
Photo: Mike Cline at English Wikipedia, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-4kt

    NE, gusts 10

    High 74°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    1-2kt

    ENE, gusts 7

    High 77°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    3-4kt

    E, gusts 9

    High 77°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-5kt

    ENE, gusts 10

    High 79°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    3-6kt

    ENE, gusts 10

    High 80°F, rain 1%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    3-7kt

    ESE, gusts 12

    High 80°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  7. SunNov 1

    1-6kt

    SE, gusts 11

    High 78°F, rain 54%

    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 Lay

Over the next 7 days on Lay Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Saturday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Friday is the pick for sailing, and Monday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Saturday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

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.

Lay Lake 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.

Lay Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lay Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 80°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: SE wind 1 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 78°F, 54% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with ENE wind around 3 to 6 kt and gusts near 10 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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