CaliforniaReservoir, 2,008 acres, Tuolumne County
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
4-9kt
WSW, gusts 15
High 64°F, rain 1%
Good -
TueOct 27
4-7kt
SW, gusts 12
High 64°F, rain 1%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-7kt
SW, gusts 10
High 65°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
4-8kt
SW, gusts 13
High 62°F, rain 7%
Good -
FriOct 30
4-8kt
SW, gusts 13
High 56°F, rain 17%
Good -
SatOct 31
3-7kt
SSW, gusts 11
High 52°F, rain 47%
Good -
SunNov 1
3-6kt
W, gusts 10
High 53°F, rain 40%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Hetch Hetchy
Over the next 7 days on Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.
Monday 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 Hetch Hetchy, 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.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Hetch Hetchy Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 52°F. Sunday: W wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 53°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Hetch Hetchy Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with WSW wind around 4 to 9 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Hetch Hetchy 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 Hetch Hetchy is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.