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MontanaReservoir, 4,373 acres, Beaverhead County

Lima Reservoir wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-17kt

    SSE, gusts 28

    High 44°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    3-11kt

    S, gusts 20

    High 36°F, rain 10%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-16kt

    SSE, gusts 26

    High 37°F, rain 0%

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-15kt

    SSE, gusts 25

    High 42°F, rain 18%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    5-13kt

    SSE, gusts 23

    High 43°F, rain 35%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    2-7kt

    SSE, gusts 16

    High 43°F, rain 48%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    3-7kt

    S, gusts 16

    High 41°F, rain 46%

    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 Lima

Over the next 7 days on Lima Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 28 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 7 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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 Monday. 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.

On a lake the size of Lima, 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.

Lima Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lima Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 2 to 7 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 43°F. Sunday: S wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 41°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Lima Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with S wind around 3 to 11 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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