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lakeglance

CaliforniaReservoir, 696 acres, Nevada County

Fordyce Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-16kt

    SW, gusts 37

    High 42°F, rain 12%

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    6-9kt

    SW, gusts 24

    High 43°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    4-6kt

    SSW, gusts 16

    High 47°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    7-9kt

    SSW, gusts 23

    High 43°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    7-9kt

    SSW, gusts 24

    High 39°F, rain 16%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    4-7kt

    SSW, gusts 20

    High 35°F, rain 49%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    4-6kt

    E, gusts 14

    High 37°F, rain 32%

    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 Fordyce

Over the next 7 days on Fordyce Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 37 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Sunday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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 Fordyce, 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.

Fordyce Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Fordyce Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 20 kt, high near 35°F. Sunday: E wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 37°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with E wind around 4 to 6 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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