WashingtonReservoir, 2,766 acres, Pierce County, Thurston County
Alder Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-3kt
SE, gusts 4
High 52°F, rain 53%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
2-6kt
WSW, gusts 9
High 49°F, rain 91%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
3-4kt
S, gusts 11
High 45°F, rain 99%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
0-5kt
SE, gusts 10
High 47°F, rain 66%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
0-2kt
SE, gusts 5
High 48°F, rain 31%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0-2kt
SE, gusts 4
High 51°F, rain 14%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0-1kt
ESE, gusts 4
High 53°F, rain 6%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Alder
Over the next 7 days on Alder Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 11 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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 Alder, 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.
Alder Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Alder Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 51°F. Sunday: ESE wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 53°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Alder Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with WSW wind around 2 to 6 kt and gusts near 9 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Alder 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 Alder is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.