Skip to content
lakeglance

IowaReservoir, 13,869 acres

Rathbun Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-4kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 74°F, rain 2%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    4-7kt

    S, gusts 13

    High 70°F, rain 10%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-10kt

    S, gusts 17

    High 75°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-7kt

    W, gusts 14

    High 76°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    4-6kt

    SE, gusts 14

    High 74°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    3-5kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 71°F, rain 41%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-3kt

    SW, gusts 10

    High 70°F, rain 20%

    Light wind

Hour by hour, next 3 days

Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

This week on Rathbun

Over the next 7 days on Rathbun Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

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.

Rathbun Lake 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.

Rathbun Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Rathbun Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 71°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 70°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Rathbun Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with S wind around 4 to 7 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Rathbun 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 Rathbun is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.