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WashingtonReservoir, 8,146 acres, Franklin County

Lake Sacajawea wind forecast

Lake Sacajawea, Washington
Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-7kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 57°F, rain 14%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    7-12kt

    SW, gusts 22

    High 59°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    9-13kt

    SW, gusts 23

    High 55°F, rain 27%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-4kt

    NNW, gusts 9

    High 52°F, rain 27%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    2-3kt

    W, gusts 7

    High 51°F, rain 15%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2kt

    W, gusts 6

    High 50°F, rain 15%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    2kt

    SW, gusts 6

    High 50°F, rain 15%

    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 Sacajawea

Over the next 7 days on Lake Sacajawea, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Sacajawea, 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 Sacajawea forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Sacajawea this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: W wind 2 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 50°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 50°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with SSW wind around 3 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 Sacajawea 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 Sacajawea is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.