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ColoradoReservoir, 1,315 acres, Grand County

Shadow Mountain Lake wind forecast

Shadow Mountain Lake, Colorado
Photo: Don Graham from Redlands, CA, USA - God bless it!, CC BY-SA 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-8kt

    SW, gusts 13

    High 48°F, rain 33%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    4-13kt

    SW, gusts 25

    High 51°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    3-13kt

    WSW, gusts 25

    High 52°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-6kt

    SSW, gusts 15

    High 54°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    2-7kt

    SW, gusts 15

    High 54°F, rain 16%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    1-5kt

    SW, gusts 13

    High 51°F, rain 23%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    1-6kt

    SW, gusts 14

    High 51°F, rain 69%

    Use caution

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 Shadow Mountain

Over the next 7 days on Shadow Mountain Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Shadow Mountain, 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.

Shadow Mountain Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Shadow Mountain Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 51°F. Sunday: SW wind 1 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 51°F, 69% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with SW wind around 3 to 8 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 Shadow Mountain 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 Shadow Mountain is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.