North CarolinaReservoir, 1,405 acres, Guilford County
Lake Townsend wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0-2kt
N, gusts 3
High 71°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
2-5kt
NE, gusts 8
High 73°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
3-5kt
NE, gusts 9
High 69°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
1-3kt
NE, gusts 5
High 72°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-2kt
N, gusts 4
High 76°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
1-4kt
ENE, gusts 8
High 74°F, rain 3%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
3-5kt
E, gusts 9
High 70°F, rain 36%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Townsend
Over the next 7 days on Lake Townsend, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 9 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 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.
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 Townsend, 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 Townsend forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Townsend this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: E wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 70°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Townsend this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with NE wind around 3 to 5 kt and gusts near 9 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Townsend 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 Townsend is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Belews LakeReservoir, 3,679 ac, North Carolina19 mi
- Oak Hollow LakeReservoir, 705 ac, North Carolina19 mi
- Philpott LakeReservoir, 2,815 ac, Virginia44 mi
- Hyco LakeReservoir, 4,163 ac, North Carolina44 mi
- High Rock LakeReservoir, North Carolina48 mi
- B. Everett Jordan LakeReservoir, 13,937 ac, North Carolina50 mi