South CarolinaReservoir, 111,197 acres
Lake Marion wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
6-12kt
NE, gusts 18
High 71°F, rain 0%
Good -
TueOct 27
4-7kt
NE, gusts 14
High 74°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
5-8kt
NE, gusts 14
High 74°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
4-10kt
NE, gusts 15
High 75°F, rain 2%
Good -
FriOct 30
3-6kt
NE, gusts 12
High 77°F, rain 2%
Good -
SatOct 31
4-5kt
ENE, gusts 12
High 76°F, rain 8%
Good -
SunNov 1
3-4kt
ENE, gusts 12
High 75°F, rain 36%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Marion
Over the next 7 days on Lake Marion, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Sunday 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.
Lake Marion is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.
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 Marion forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Marion this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 76°F. Sunday: ENE wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 75°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Marion this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NE wind around 6 to 12 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Marion 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 Marion is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Lake MoultrieReservoir, 60,000 ac, South Carolina16 mi
- Lake RobinsonReservoir, 2,099 ac, South Carolina68 mi
- Lake WatereeReservoir, 11,756 ac, South Carolina73 mi
- Lake MurrayReservoir, 48,761 ac, South Carolina75 mi
- Lake RussellNatural lake, South Carolina76 mi
- Parr Shoals ReservoirReservoir, 3,117 ac, South Carolina83 mi