New YorkNatural lake, 2,965 acres, Onondaga County
Onondaga Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-9kt
WNW, gusts 17
High 65°F, rain 4%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
2-5kt
NNW, gusts 7
High 53°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
2-4kt
SE, gusts 8
High 64°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
4-6kt
SSW, gusts 12
High 70°F, rain 0%
Good -
FriOct 30
3-7kt
WNW, gusts 12
High 66°F, rain 8%
Good -
SatOct 31
0-3kt
W, gusts 5
High 64°F, rain 4%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
3-6kt
S, gusts 11
High 64°F, rain 35%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Onondaga
Over the next 7 days on Onondaga Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Thursday 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 Onondaga, 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.
Onondaga Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Onondaga Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: W wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 64°F. Sunday: S wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 64°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Onondaga Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSW wind around 4 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 Onondaga 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 Onondaga is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.