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lakeglance

North CarolinaReservoir, 438 acres, Jackson County

Bear Creek Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-1kt

    SE, gusts 5

    High 71°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    0-2kt

    SE, gusts 7

    High 72°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    0-2kt

    ESE, gusts 8

    High 68°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-2kt

    SE, gusts 6

    High 72°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    0-2kt

    SE, gusts 7

    High 73°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0-3kt

    SE, gusts 8

    High 69°F, rain 7%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-2kt

    ESE, gusts 8

    High 67°F, rain 55%

    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 Bear Creek

Over the next 7 days on Bear Creek Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 8 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.

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 Bear Creek, 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.

Bear Creek Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Bear Creek Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 69°F. Sunday: ESE wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 67°F, 55% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with SE wind around 0 to 1 kt and gusts near 5 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Bear Creek 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 Bear Creek is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.