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lakeglance

OregonNatural lake, 49,668 acres, Harney County

Malheur Lake wind forecast

Malheur Lake, Oregon
Photo: Pete Forsyth, CC BY 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    14-17kt

    W, gusts 23

    High 46°F, rain 65%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    8-10kt

    WSW, gusts 14

    High 44°F, rain 14%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    8-10kt

    WSW, gusts 15

    High 48°F, rain 1%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4kt

    E, gusts 8

    High 48°F, rain 5%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    2-5kt

    WSW, gusts 9

    High 43°F, rain 8%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    2-4kt

    W, gusts 8

    High 44°F, rain 18%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    6-7kt

    WNW, gusts 12

    High 44°F, rain 21%

    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 Malheur

Over the next 7 days on Malheur Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 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.

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.

Malheur 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.

Malheur Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Malheur Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: W wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 44°F. Sunday: WNW wind 6 to 7 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 44°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with WSW wind around 8 to 10 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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