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ArizonaReservoir, 2,077 acres

Apache Lake wind forecast

Apache Lake, Arizona
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-9kt

    NE, gusts 13

    High 84°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    0-6kt

    ENE, gusts 10

    High 84°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    0-7kt

    ESE, gusts 11

    High 84°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-7kt

    ESE, gusts 11

    High 83°F, rain 20%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    3-5kt

    SE, gusts 9

    High 75°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    1-4kt

    SSE, gusts 8

    High 75°F, rain 50%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    4-6kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 70°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 Apache

Over the next 7 days on Apache Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 Friday, 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.

On a lake the size of Apache, 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.

Apache Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Apache Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 75°F, 50% chance of rain. Sunday: S wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 70°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NE wind around 1 to 9 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 Apache 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 Apache is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.