ColoradoReservoir, 139 acres, Larimer County
Lake Estes wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-7kt
WSW, gusts 11
High 52°F, rain 19%
Good -
TueOct 27
2-12kt
SW, gusts 24
High 59°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
2-9kt
SW, gusts 18
High 60°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
0-6kt
S, gusts 12
High 61°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
1-7kt
S, gusts 12
High 60°F, rain 10%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
0-4kt
S, gusts 9
High 57°F, rain 18%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
1-6kt
SSE, gusts 11
High 55°F, rain 64%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Estes
Over the next 7 days on Lake Estes, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Monday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Estes, 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.
Lake Estes forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Estes this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 0 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 57°F. Sunday: SSE wind 1 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 55°F, 64% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Estes this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with WSW wind around 2 to 7 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 Lake Estes 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 Estes is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.