South CarolinaReservoir, 11,756 acres, Kershaw County
Lake Wateree wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-7kt
NNE, gusts 13
High 72°F, rain 0%
Good -
TueOct 27
2-5kt
NE, gusts 10
High 76°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
3-6kt
NE, gusts 10
High 74°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
3-5kt
NE, gusts 9
High 76°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
1-3kt
NE, gusts 7
High 79°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
1-4kt
ENE, gusts 9
High 78°F, rain 7%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-4kt
ENE, gusts 10
High 75°F, rain 36%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Wateree
Over the next 7 days on Lake Wateree, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 Wateree 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 Wateree forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Wateree this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 78°F. Sunday: ENE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 75°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Wateree this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with NE wind around 3 to 6 kt and gusts near 10 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Wateree 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 Wateree is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Fishing Creek ReservoirReservoir, 2,164 ac, South Carolina15 mi
- Monticello ReservoirReservoir, 6,659 ac, South Carolina31 mi
- Parr Shoals ReservoirReservoir, 3,117 ac, South Carolina33 mi
- Lake RobinsonReservoir, 2,099 ac, South Carolina36 mi
- Lake MurrayReservoir, 48,761 ac, South Carolina39 mi
- Lake WylieReservoir, 13,344 ac, South Carolina49 mi