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lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 2,947 acres, Beaverhead County

Upper Red Rock Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-12kt

    SSE, gusts 24

    High 42°F, rain 64%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    8-12kt

    SSW, gusts 22

    High 34°F, rain 28%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    7-15kt

    S, gusts 26

    High 36°F, rain 2%

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-10kt

    SSE, gusts 22

    High 40°F, rain 22%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    4-7kt

    SSE, gusts 18

    High 40°F, rain 50%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    2-4kt

    SSE, gusts 11

    High 40°F, rain 59%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    3-4kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 40°F, rain 49%

    Light wind

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 Upper Red Rock

Over the next 7 days on Upper Red Rock Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 26 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 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.

On a lake the size of Upper Red Rock, 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.

Upper Red Rock Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Upper Red Rock Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 40°F, 59% chance of rain. Sunday: S wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 40°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Upper Red Rock Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSE wind around 4 to 10 kt and gusts near 22 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Upper Red Rock 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 Upper Red Rock is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.