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NebraskaReservoir, 24,885 acres

Lake McConaughy wind forecast

Lake McConaughy, Nebraska
Photo: vicki watkins from USA, CC BY 2.0

7-day outlook

Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-14kt

    N, gusts 21

    High 47°F, rain 94%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    5-8kt

    S, gusts 16

    High 61°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    2-4kt

    NW, gusts 12

    High 66°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-5kt

    SSE, gusts 11

    High 66°F, rain 5%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    4-6kt

    SE, gusts 15

    High 63°F, rain 30%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    4-6kt

    S, gusts 14

    High 62°F, rain 19%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-9kt

    SE, gusts 16

    High 62°F, rain 39%

    Good

Hour by hour, next 3 days

Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

This week on McConaughy

Over the next 7 days on Lake McConaughy, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 21 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 McConaughy 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 McConaughy forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake McConaughy this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 62°F. Sunday: SE wind 5 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 62°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Lake McConaughy this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with S wind around 5 to 8 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Lake McConaughy 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 McConaughy is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.