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New YorkNatural lake, 42,749 acres

Seneca Lake wind forecast

Seneca Lake, New York
Photo: RochesterNY, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-11kt

    NW, gusts 20

    High 66°F, rain 2%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    4-6kt

    N, gusts 9

    High 53°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-8kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 65°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-10kt

    SSW, gusts 13

    High 70°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    2-6kt

    WNW, gusts 13

    High 66°F, rain 4%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    2kt

    WSW, gusts 7

    High 63°F, rain 5%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    6-8kt

    S, gusts 15

    High 64°F, rain 34%

    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 Seneca

Over the next 7 days on Seneca Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Thursday 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.

Seneca 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.

Seneca Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Seneca Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 2 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 63°F. Sunday: S wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 64°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSW wind around 3 to 10 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 Seneca 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 Seneca is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.