WashingtonReservoir, 14,292 acres
Potholes Reservoir wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-4kt
S, gusts 10
High 52°F, rain 14%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
4-9kt
SW, gusts 18
High 55°F, rain 3%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-8kt
SSW, gusts 15
High 50°F, rain 30%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2kt
NNE, gusts 6
High 46°F, rain 19%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
1-5kt
N, gusts 9
High 45°F, rain 25%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
1-3kt
NNW, gusts 7
High 45°F, rain 6%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
1-3kt
W, gusts 6
High 45°F, rain 9%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Potholes
Over the next 7 days on Potholes Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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.
Potholes 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.
Potholes Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Potholes Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NNW wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 45°F. Sunday: W wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 45°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Potholes Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 4 to 9 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Potholes 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 Potholes is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.