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GeorgiaReservoir, 17,436 acres, Greene County, Hancock County, Morgan County, Putnam County

Lake Oconee wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-6kt

    NE, gusts 13

    High 73°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    2-4kt

    NE, gusts 10

    High 76°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    3-6kt

    ENE, gusts 13

    High 76°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-6kt

    NE, gusts 14

    High 77°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    2-4kt

    NE, gusts 11

    High 80°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2-4kt

    ENE, gusts 11

    High 79°F, rain 7%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0-4kt

    E, gusts 10

    High 77°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore

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 Oconee

Over the next 7 days on Lake Oconee, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 14 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 Sunday. 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.

Lake Oconee 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 Oconee forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Oconee this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 79°F. Sunday: E wind 0 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 77°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with ENE wind around 3 to 6 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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