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lakeglance

CaliforniaNatural lake, 10,067 acres, Modoc County

Lower Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    11-15kt

    W, gusts 24

    High 54°F, rain 9%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    2-8kt

    NW, gusts 12

    High 53°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    1-5kt

    SW, gusts 9

    High 59°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-9kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 58°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    2-9kt

    SW, gusts 15

    High 53°F, rain 10%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    3-6kt

    SW, gusts 11

    High 50°F, rain 32%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    3-6kt

    NNW, gusts 9

    High 51°F, rain 26%

    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 Lower

Over the next 7 days on Lower Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Thursday 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.

Lower 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.

Lower Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lower Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 50°F. Sunday: NNW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 51°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSW wind around 2 to 9 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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