7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
6-10kt
NE, gusts 15
High 60°F, rain 4%
Good -
TueOct 27
4-8kt
SE, gusts 15
High 67°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-7kt
SSW, gusts 13
High 72°F, rain 4%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-7kt
WSW, gusts 15
High 72°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
1-5kt
ESE, gusts 9
High 70°F, rain 27%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3-5kt
SE, gusts 12
High 68°F, rain 37%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-5kt
S, gusts 9
High 68°F, rain 36%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Geneva
Over the next 7 days on Lake Geneva, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 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.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Thursday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.
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 Geneva, 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 Geneva forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Geneva this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 68°F. Sunday: S wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 68°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Geneva this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NE wind around 6 to 10 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 Lake Geneva 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 Geneva is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.