7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
4-7kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 55°F, rain 16%
Good -
TueOct 27
2-7kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 44°F, rain 18%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
2-4kt
S, gusts 12
High 46°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
2-6kt
SE, gusts 12
High 54°F, rain 9%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
0-6kt
SE, gusts 10
High 50°F, rain 62%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
1-3kt
SSE, gusts 8
High 50°F, rain 74%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-4kt
S, gusts 9
High 49°F, rain 55%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Palisades
Over the next 7 days on Palisades Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Monday 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.
Palisades Reservoir 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.
Palisades Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Palisades Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 50°F, 74% chance of rain. Sunday: S wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 49°F, 55% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Palisades Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with SSE wind around 4 to 7 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 Palisades Reservoir 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 Palisades is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.