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IowaReservoir, 8,619 acres

Lake Red Rock wind forecast

Lake Red Rock, Iowa
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-6kt

    E, gusts 11

    High 71°F, rain 3%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    5-7kt

    S, gusts 14

    High 70°F, rain 13%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-10kt

    S, gusts 17

    High 75°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-5kt

    WNW, gusts 10

    High 75°F, rain 25%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    5-7kt

    SE, gusts 13

    High 73°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    4-6kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 70°F, rain 48%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    3-5kt

    SSW, gusts 10

    High 69°F, rain 22%

    Use caution

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 Red Rock

Over the next 7 days on Lake Red Rock, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

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

On a lake the size of Red Rock, 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 Red Rock forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Red Rock this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 70°F. Sunday: SSW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 69°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with S wind around 5 to 7 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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