TennesseeReservoir
Old Hickory Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0-2kt
NNW, gusts 4
High 75°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
0-1kt
SE, gusts 4
High 77°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
1-6kt
S, gusts 11
High 76°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
0-4kt
S, gusts 7
High 77°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-2kt
E, gusts 5
High 79°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
1-5kt
SSE, gusts 10
High 76°F, rain 32%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
3-7kt
SE, gusts 13
High 74°F, rain 63%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Old Hickory
Over the next 7 days on Old Hickory Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Sunday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
Sunday 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 Old Hickory, 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.
Old Hickory Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Old Hickory Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 76°F. Sunday: SE wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 74°F, 63% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Old Hickory Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with SE wind around 3 to 7 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Old Hickory Lake 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 Old Hickory is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.