MassachusettsReservoir, 646 acres, Berkshire County
Onota Lake wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-8kt
WNW, gusts 17
High 63°F, rain 2%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
2-4kt
NNW, gusts 7
High 53°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
0-3kt
SSW, gusts 5
High 57°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
2-6kt
SSW, gusts 11
High 64°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
1-7kt
WNW, gusts 13
High 66°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
0-4kt
WNW, gusts 5
High 62°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-5kt
SSW, gusts 9
High 62°F, rain 22%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Onota
Over the next 7 days on Onota Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Thursday 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.
On a lake the size of Onota, 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.
Onota Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Onota Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 0 to 4 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 62°F. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 62°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Onota Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSW wind around 2 to 6 kt and gusts near 11 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Onota 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 Onota is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Littleville LakeReservoir, 263 ac, Massachusetts25 mi
- Harriman ReservoirReservoir, 1,949 ac, Vermont30 mi
- Cobble Mountain ReservoirReservoir, 1,066 ac, Massachusetts30 mi
- Tomhannock ReservoirReservoir, 1,709 ac, New York30 mi
- East Twin LakeNatural lake, 565 ac, Connecticut31 mi
- Colebrook River LakeReservoir, 845 ac, Connecticut33 mi