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GeorgiaReservoir, 71,100 acres, Columbia County, Lincoln County, McDuffie County, Wilkes County

J. Strom Thurmond Lake wind forecast

J. Strom Thurmond Lake, Georgia
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-8kt

    NE, gusts 16

    High 72°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    4-5kt

    NE, gusts 12

    High 75°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-6kt

    NE, gusts 13

    High 74°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-7kt

    NE, gusts 14

    High 75°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    3-4kt

    NE, gusts 11

    High 78°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    3-5kt

    ENE, gusts 12

    High 77°F, rain 7%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    ENE, gusts 12

    High 76°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore

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 J. Strom Thurmond

Over the next 7 days on J. Strom Thurmond Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Sunday. 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.

J. Strom Thurmond 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.

J. Strom Thurmond Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for J. Strom Thurmond Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 77°F. Sunday: ENE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 76°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on J. Strom Thurmond Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with NE wind around 5 to 6 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 J. Strom Thurmond 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 J. Strom Thurmond is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.