ColoradoReservoir, 154 acres, Jefferson County
Ralston Reservoir wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-4kt
E, gusts 6
High 56°F, rain 14%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
2-6kt
SE, gusts 10
High 66°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
2-6kt
SE, gusts 11
High 66°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
2-5kt
ESE, gusts 10
High 64°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
2-6kt
E, gusts 10
High 64°F, rain 8%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
2-4kt
ENE, gusts 9
High 61°F, rain 17%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
1-4kt
ENE, gusts 9
High 59°F, rain 50%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Ralston
Over the next 7 days on Ralston Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 11 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Tuesday 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 Ralston, 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.
Ralston Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Ralston Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 61°F. Sunday: ENE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 59°F, 50% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Ralston Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 2 to 6 kt and gusts near 10 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Ralston 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 Ralston is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.