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CaliforniaReservoir, 1,560 acres, Plumas County

Butt Valley Reservoir wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-11kt

    SW, gusts 21

    High 55°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    2-8kt

    SW, gusts 14

    High 56°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    2-4kt

    SSW, gusts 10

    High 61°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-9kt

    SSW, gusts 17

    High 57°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    2-9kt

    SSW, gusts 18

    High 52°F, rain 8%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    2-5kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 49°F, rain 38%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    NE, gusts 8

    High 52°F, rain 24%

    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 Butt Valley

Over the next 7 days on Butt Valley Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 21 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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 Butt Valley, 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.

Butt Valley Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Butt Valley Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 49°F. Sunday: NE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 52°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Butt Valley Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 2 to 8 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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