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lakeglance

CaliforniaNatural lake, 840 acres, Nevada County

Donner Lake wind forecast

Donner Lake, California
Photo: J.smith, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    11-19kt

    SW, gusts 30

    High 51°F, rain 9%

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    4-9kt

    SW, gusts 19

    High 52°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    0-4kt

    WSW, gusts 12

    High 57°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-8kt

    SW, gusts 19

    High 52°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    3-8kt

    SW, gusts 19

    High 47°F, rain 12%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    2-6kt

    SW, gusts 15

    High 44°F, rain 48%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    1-3kt

    ENE, gusts 10

    High 45°F, rain 32%

    Light wind

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 Donner

Over the next 7 days on Donner Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 30 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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 Donner, 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.

Donner Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Donner Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 2 to 6 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 44°F. Sunday: ENE wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 45°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Donner Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 4 to 9 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 Donner 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 Donner is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.