MissouriReservoir, 487 acres, Jackson County
Lake Lotawana wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
5-7kt
S, gusts 11
High 77°F, rain 1%
Good -
TueOct 27
4-7kt
S, gusts 12
High 73°F, rain 13%
Good -
WedOct 28
8-12kt
S, gusts 20
High 78°F, rain 17%
Good -
ThuOct 29
4-9kt
SSW, gusts 15
High 80°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
4-8kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 75°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SatOct 31
4-6kt
SSE, gusts 11
High 71°F, rain 40%
Good -
SunNov 1
4-5kt
S, gusts 9
High 72°F, rain 19%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Lotawana
Over the next 7 days on Lake Lotawana, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.
Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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, Friday. 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 Lotawana, 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 Lotawana forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Lotawana this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 71°F. Sunday: S wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 72°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Lotawana this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with S wind around 8 to 12 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Lotawana 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 Lotawana is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.