Skip to content
lakeglance

ArkansasReservoir, 9,421 acres, Crawford County

Ozark Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-5kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 78°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-5kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 78°F, rain 5%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-6kt

    SE, gusts 12

    High 82°F, rain 1%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-4kt

    SE, gusts 9

    High 83°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    4-5kt

    ESE, gusts 11

    High 76°F, rain 10%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    4-5kt

    ESE, gusts 12

    High 74°F, rain 50%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    SSW, gusts 10

    High 79°F, rain 21%

    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 Ozark

Over the next 7 days on Ozark Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Wednesday 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 Ozark, 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.

Ozark Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Ozark Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 74°F, 50% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 79°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SE wind around 4 to 6 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 Ozark 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 Ozark is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.