MississippiNatural lake, 3,064 acres, Washington County
Lake Washington wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-4kt
E, gusts 9
High 78°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
2-3kt
ESE, gusts 7
High 80°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
2-3kt
SE, gusts 7
High 82°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
2-4kt
E, gusts 10
High 82°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
E, gusts 10
High 81°F, rain 4%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
3-5kt
SE, gusts 11
High 81°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SunNov 1
3-5kt
WSW, gusts 11
High 83°F, rain 29%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Washington
Over the next 7 days on Lake Washington, the windiest stretch looks like Saturday, with gusts to about 11 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Monday 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 Saturday. 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 Washington, 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 Washington forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Washington this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 81°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: WSW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 83°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Washington this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with E wind around 3 to 4 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 Washington 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 Washington is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.