TennesseeReservoir, 7,486 acres
South Holston Lake wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0-2kt
NNW, gusts 4
High 70°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
0-2kt
NE, gusts 6
High 75°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
0-4kt
ESE, gusts 7
High 72°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
0-2kt
N, gusts 4
High 73°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-2kt
NNE, gusts 5
High 75°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-4kt
SE, gusts 8
High 74°F, rain 5%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
3-4kt
SE, gusts 9
High 69°F, rain 54%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on South Holston
Over the next 7 days on South Holston Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Sunday, with gusts to about 9 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.
Saturday 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.
On a lake the size of South Holston, 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.
South Holston Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for South Holston Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: SE wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 69°F, 54% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on South Holston Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with SE wind around 2 to 4 kt and gusts near 8 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the South Holston 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 South Holston is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Watauga LakeReservoir, 6,353 ac, Tennessee14 mi
- Boone LakeReservoir, 4,230 ac, Tennessee20 mi
- Fort Patrick Henry LakeReservoir, 849 ac, Tennessee23 mi
- John W. Flannagan ReservoirReservoir, 1,177 ac, Virginia50 mi
- Lake JamesReservoir, 6,820 ac, North Carolina55 mi
- W. Kerr Scott ReservoirReservoir, 1,280 ac, North Carolina55 mi