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WashingtonNatural lake, 21,745 acres, King County

Lake Washington wind forecast

Lake Washington, Washington
Photo: Maltesen at da.wikipedia, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-4kt

    N, gusts 3

    High 56°F, rain 34%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    3-10kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 56°F, rain 73%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-7kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 53°F, rain 86%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-3kt

    ENE, gusts 4

    High 51°F, rain 66%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-2kt

    NE, gusts 3

    High 51°F, rain 17%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    1-2kt

    N, gusts 3

    High 54°F, rain 6%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-2kt

    S, gusts 3

    High 55°F, rain 4%

    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 Washington

Over the next 7 days on Lake Washington, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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.

Lake Washington is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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: N wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 3 kt, high near 54°F. Sunday: S wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 3 kt, high near 55°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, Tuesday looks best, with SSW wind around 3 to 10 kt and gusts near 12 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.