Skip to content
lakeglance

North DakotaReservoir, 1,925 acres, Bowman County

Bowman-Haley Reservoir wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    13-18kt

    ESE, gusts 29

    High 41°F, rain 53%

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    9-25kt

    SW, gusts 38

    High 54°F, rain 0%

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    3-11kt

    WNW, gusts 19

    High 60°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-10kt

    ENE, gusts 18

    High 58°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    11-16kt

    ESE, gusts 27

    High 51°F, rain 15%

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    6-10kt

    NW, gusts 16

    High 54°F, rain 29%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    7-14kt

    SE, gusts 25

    High 56°F, rain 28%

    Use caution

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 Bowman-Haley

Over the next 7 days on Bowman-Haley Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 38 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 10 kt.

Saturday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Bowman-Haley, 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.

Bowman-Haley Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Bowman-Haley Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NW wind 6 to 10 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 54°F. Sunday: SE wind 7 to 14 kt, gusts to 25 kt, high near 56°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Bowman-Haley Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with NW wind around 6 to 10 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 Bowman-Haley Reservoir 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 Bowman-Haley is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.