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CaliforniaReservoir, 2,813 acres

Black Butte Lake wind forecast

Black Butte Lake, California
Photo: Michael Nevins, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-5kt

    NE, gusts 10

    High 66°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-6kt

    N, gusts 11

    High 65°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-8kt

    N, gusts 14

    High 67°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4kt

    ENE, gusts 9

    High 63°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    4-5kt

    E, gusts 9

    High 60°F, rain 8%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    4kt

    NNE, gusts 9

    High 57°F, rain 23%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    4-9kt

    NNW, gusts 17

    High 61°F, rain 10%

    Good

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 Black Butte

Over the next 7 days on Black Butte Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Sunday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Sunday is the pick for sailing, and 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 Black Butte, 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.

Black Butte Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Black Butte Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NNE wind 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 57°F. Sunday: NNW wind 4 to 9 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 61°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with NNW wind around 4 to 9 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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