MississippiReservoir, 2,493 acres
Columbus Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-3kt
E, gusts 7
High 77°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
1-2kt
ESE, gusts 6
High 78°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
2-4kt
ESE, gusts 8
High 79°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
2-3kt
E, gusts 7
High 80°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-5kt
E, gusts 10
High 81°F, rain 4%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3-6kt
ESE, gusts 12
High 80°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SunNov 1
1-5kt
SSE, gusts 12
High 81°F, rain 47%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Columbus
Over the next 7 days on Columbus Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Saturday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 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.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Saturday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.
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 Columbus, 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.
Columbus Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Columbus Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 80°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: SSE wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 81°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Columbus Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with E wind around 2 to 5 kt and gusts near 10 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Columbus 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 Columbus is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.