ColoradoReservoir, 885 acres, Douglas County
Cheesman Lake wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-8kt
WSW, gusts 13
High 60°F, rain 4%
Good -
TueOct 27
7-13kt
SW, gusts 22
High 66°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
7-15kt
SW, gusts 24
High 66°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
6-11kt
SSW, gusts 20
High 65°F, rain 0%
Good -
FriOct 30
6-11kt
SSW, gusts 19
High 65°F, rain 11%
Good -
SatOct 31
5-9kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 62°F, rain 13%
Good -
SunNov 1
6-13kt
SSW, gusts 22
High 60°F, rain 47%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Cheesman
Over the next 7 days on Cheesman Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 8 kt.
Friday 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 Cheesman, 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.
Cheesman Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Cheesman Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 5 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 62°F. Sunday: SSW wind 6 to 13 kt, gusts to 22 kt, high near 60°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Cheesman Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with SSW wind around 6 to 11 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Cheesman 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 Cheesman is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Strontia Springs ReservoirReservoir, 81 ac, Colorado18 mi
- Eleven Mile Canyon ReservoirReservoir, 3,112 ac, Colorado22 mi
- Spinney Mountain ReservoirReservoir, 2,403 ac, Colorado24 mi
- Chatfield ReservoirReservoir, 1,500 ac, Colorado27 mi
- Marston LakeReservoir, 626 ac, Colorado32 mi
- Antero ReservoirReservoir, 2,225 ac, Colorado36 mi