CaliforniaReservoir, 2,820 acres
Big Bear Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-7kt
SW, gusts 12
High 53°F, rain 0%
Good -
TueOct 27
2-5kt
SW, gusts 10
High 54°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
0-4kt
SSW, gusts 9
High 50°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
0-4kt
SSW, gusts 12
High 48°F, rain 2%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
5-7kt
SW, gusts 16
High 43°F, rain 16%
Good -
SatOct 31
3-6kt
SW, gusts 14
High 40°F, rain 27%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
5-7kt
SW, gusts 16
High 36°F, rain 92%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Big Bear
Over the next 7 days on Big Bear Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Friday 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.
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 Big Bear, 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.
Big Bear Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Big Bear Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 40°F. Sunday: SW wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 36°F, 92% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Big Bear Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with SW wind around 5 to 7 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Big Bear 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 Big Bear is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.