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CaliforniaNatural lake, 219,430 acres, Imperial County, Riverside County

Salton Sea wind forecast

Salton Sea, California
Photo: The original uploader was Geographer at English Wikipedia ., CC BY 2.5

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-5kt

    S, gusts 8

    High 81°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    1-6kt

    ESE, gusts 8

    High 80°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    0-5kt

    NNW, gusts 7

    High 79°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-4kt

    WSW, gusts 7

    High 79°F, rain 2%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-7kt

    WSW, gusts 12

    High 77°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    1-5kt

    WSW, gusts 9

    High 74°F, rain 30%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    4-7kt

    WNW, gusts 14

    High 70°F, rain 47%

    Good

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 Salton Sea

Over the next 7 days on Salton Sea, the windiest stretch looks like Sunday, with gusts to about 14 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Sunday 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.

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.

Salton Sea 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.

Salton Sea forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Salton Sea this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: WNW wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 70°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Salton Sea this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with WNW 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 Salton Sea 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 Salton Sea is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.