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WashingtonReservoir, 2,434 acres, Pierce County

Lake Tapps wind forecast

Lake Tapps, Washington
Photo: Steven Pavlov, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-3kt

    NNE, gusts 3

    High 55°F, rain 49%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    4-9kt

    SW, gusts 15

    High 54°F, rain 72%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-6kt

    SW, gusts 13

    High 51°F, rain 97%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-2kt

    ENE, gusts 4

    High 49°F, rain 66%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    0-1kt

    ESE, gusts 3

    High 51°F, rain 24%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 2

    High 52°F, rain 11%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0-1kt

    E, gusts 3

    High 54°F, rain 3%

    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 Tapps

Over the next 7 days on Lake Tapps, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 0 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.

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 Tapps, 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 Tapps forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Tapps this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: wind 0 kt, gusts to 2 kt, high near 52°F. Sunday: E wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 3 kt, high near 54°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 4 to 9 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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