CaliforniaReservoir, 7,690 acres, Kern County
Lake Isabella wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0-15kt
SW, gusts 24
High 72°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
3-12kt
WSW, gusts 21
High 71°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
0-7kt
WSW, gusts 13
High 70°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
0-9kt
SW, gusts 16
High 69°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
0-12kt
W, gusts 19
High 64°F, rain 0%
Good -
SatOct 31
0-9kt
WSW, gusts 17
High 59°F, rain 34%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-11kt
WSW, gusts 22
High 56°F, rain 48%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Isabella
Over the next 7 days on Lake Isabella, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 7 kt.
Friday 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 Isabella, 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 Isabella forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Isabella this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 0 to 9 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 59°F. Sunday: WSW wind 2 to 11 kt, gusts to 22 kt, high near 56°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Isabella this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with W wind around 0 to 12 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 Lake Isabella 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 Isabella is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.