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CaliforniaReservoir, 8,957 acres

New Melones Lake wind forecast

New Melones Lake, California
Photo: snty - tact, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-6kt

    WNW, gusts 12

    High 68°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    2-5kt

    W, gusts 11

    High 64°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    1-5kt

    W, gusts 10

    High 66°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-5kt

    SSW, gusts 11

    High 65°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    1-5kt

    WSW, gusts 12

    High 62°F, rain 6%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    0-4kt

    WSW, gusts 10

    High 58°F, rain 29%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-5kt

    NW, gusts 13

    High 59°F, rain 26%

    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 New Melones

Over the next 7 days on New Melones Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Sunday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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.

On a lake the size of New Melones, 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.

New Melones Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for New Melones Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 0 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: NW wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 59°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with WNW wind around 3 to 6 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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