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CaliforniaReservoir, 19,958 acres, Inyo County

Owens Lake wind forecast

Owens Lake, California
Photo: Eeekster (Richard Ellis), CC BY 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-6kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 71°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    1-7kt

    SSE, gusts 13

    High 71°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    0-6kt

    SE, gusts 11

    High 67°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-11kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 67°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    1-9kt

    SSE, gusts 15

    High 66°F, rain 2%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    3-10kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 61°F, rain 25%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    1-6kt

    ESE, gusts 11

    High 57°F, rain 46%

    Use caution

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 Owens

Over the next 7 days on Owens Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Thursday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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.

Owens Lake 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.

Owens Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Owens Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 10 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 61°F. Sunday: ESE wind 1 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Owens Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSE wind around 2 to 11 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Owens 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 Owens is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.