MaineReservoir, 1,013 acres, Somerset County
Penobscot Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
6-8kt
WNW, gusts 15
High 49°F, rain 20%
Good -
TueOct 27
4-6kt
NW, gusts 12
High 38°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
2-4kt
W, gusts 8
High 44°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
4-6kt
WSW, gusts 12
High 58°F, rain 3%
Good -
FriOct 30
5-7kt
W, gusts 14
High 52°F, rain 41%
Good -
SatOct 31
2-5kt
WNW, gusts 10
High 46°F, rain 8%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
3-4kt
WSW, gusts 8
High 52°F, rain 13%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Penobscot
Over the next 7 days on Penobscot Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Monday 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.
On a lake the size of Penobscot, 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.
Penobscot Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Penobscot Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: WSW wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 52°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Penobscot Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with WNW wind around 6 to 8 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 Penobscot 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 Penobscot is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.