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OregonReservoir, 1,130 acres

Cougar Reservoir wind forecast

Cougar Reservoir, Oregon
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, Attribution

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-5kt

    SSW, gusts 9

    High 49°F, rain 100%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-5kt

    WSW, gusts 7

    High 49°F, rain 89%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    4-5kt

    SW, gusts 8

    High 48°F, rain 89%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-4kt

    SW, gusts 5

    High 49°F, rain 65%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    2-4kt

    WSW, gusts 4

    High 52°F, rain 14%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2-5kt

    WSW, gusts 5

    High 54°F, rain 11%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    3-7kt

    ENE, gusts 9

    High 57°F, rain 7%

    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 Cougar

Over the next 7 days on Cougar Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 9 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Sunday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Cougar, 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.

Cougar Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Cougar Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 54°F. Sunday: ENE wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with ENE wind around 3 to 7 kt and gusts near 9 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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