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IdahoReservoir, 1,106 acres, Adams County

Oxbow Reservoir wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-11kt

    SSW, gusts 17

    High 56°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    3-9kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 55°F, rain 23%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    2-8kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 56°F, rain 11%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-4kt

    S, gusts 7

    High 58°F, rain 7%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-3kt

    SSW, gusts 5

    High 58°F, rain 17%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0-2kt

    NE, gusts 4

    High 58°F, rain 37%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-2kt

    NW, gusts 5

    High 57°F, rain 33%

    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 Oxbow

Over the next 7 days on Oxbow Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Monday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

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 Oxbow, 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.

Oxbow Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Oxbow Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NE wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: NW wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Oxbow Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSW wind around 3 to 9 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 Oxbow Reservoir 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 Oxbow is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.