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CaliforniaReservoir, 1,684 acres

Lake Mendocino wind forecast

Lake Mendocino, California
Photo: The original uploader was Kglavin at English Wikipedia ., CC BY 2.5

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-8kt

    WNW, gusts 17

    High 61°F, rain 11%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    1-7kt

    WNW, gusts 17

    High 61°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    1-6kt

    WNW, gusts 14

    High 63°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-8kt

    WNW, gusts 18

    High 59°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    1-7kt

    W, gusts 17

    High 58°F, rain 22%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    1-3kt

    WSW, gusts 10

    High 58°F, rain 29%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0-4kt

    WNW, gusts 11

    High 60°F, rain 8%

    Light wind

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 Mendocino

Over the next 7 days on Lake Mendocino, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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 Mendocino, 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 Mendocino forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Mendocino this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: WNW wind 0 to 4 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 60°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with WNW wind around 1 to 8 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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