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MissouriReservoir, 51,172 acres

Lake of the Ozarks wind forecast

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri
Photo: KTrimble, CC0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-3kt

    S, gusts 8

    High 77°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    1-4kt

    S, gusts 9

    High 76°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    2-6kt

    S, gusts 13

    High 80°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-6kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 83°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    1-3kt

    SSE, gusts 9

    High 79°F, rain 15%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    1-4kt

    SSE, gusts 10

    High 73°F, rain 42%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-3kt

    WSW, gusts 9

    High 75°F, rain 24%

    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 of the Ozarks

Over the next 7 days on Lake of the Ozarks, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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. 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 of the Ozarks 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 of the Ozarks forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake of the Ozarks this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 73°F. Sunday: WSW wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 75°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with S wind around 2 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 of the Ozarks 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 of the Ozarks is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.