IllinoisReservoir, 7,293 acres, Williamson County
Crab Orchard Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0-3kt
SW, gusts 6
High 76°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
0-4kt
SSE, gusts 7
High 75°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
0-5kt
S, gusts 10
High 75°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
2-6kt
SSW, gusts 11
High 78°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
1-4kt
S, gusts 7
High 78°F, rain 2%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-5kt
SE, gusts 9
High 74°F, rain 28%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
1-5kt
SSE, gusts 9
High 74°F, rain 36%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Crab Orchard
Over the next 7 days on Crab Orchard Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 11 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Thursday 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 Crab Orchard, 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.
Crab Orchard Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Crab Orchard Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: SSE wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 74°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Crab Orchard Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSW wind around 2 to 6 kt and gusts near 11 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Crab Orchard 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 Crab Orchard is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.