OhioReservoir, 1,122 acres, Delaware County, Marion County
Delaware Lake wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-4kt
WSW, gusts 6
High 73°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
3-4kt
ESE, gusts 8
High 71°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
3-5kt
S, gusts 8
High 72°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
4-10kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 75°F, rain 0%
Good -
FriOct 30
3-5kt
NW, gusts 8
High 74°F, rain 3%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
4-6kt
ESE, gusts 11
High 71°F, rain 9%
Good -
SunNov 1
6-8kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 68°F, rain 55%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Delaware
Over the next 7 days on Delaware Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 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 Delaware, 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.
Delaware Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Delaware Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 71°F. Sunday: SSE wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 68°F, 55% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Delaware Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSW wind around 4 to 10 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Delaware 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 Delaware is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.