IdahoNatural lake, 1,461 acres, Valley County
Little Payette Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-12kt
SSW, gusts 18
High 45°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
TueOct 27
4-8kt
SSW, gusts 12
High 38°F, rain 59%
Good -
WedOct 28
6-11kt
SSW, gusts 17
High 39°F, rain 32%
Good -
ThuOct 29
0-4kt
S, gusts 8
High 44°F, rain 9%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-2kt
SSW, gusts 9
High 44°F, rain 25%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0-1kt
NE, gusts 5
High 45°F, rain 40%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0-1kt
WSW, gusts 5
High 46°F, rain 35%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Little Payette
Over the next 7 days on Little Payette Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Little Payette, 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.
Little Payette Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Little Payette Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NE wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 45°F. Sunday: WSW wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Little Payette Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SSW wind around 6 to 11 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Little Payette 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 Little Payette is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.