IndianaReservoir, 9,121 acres
Patoka Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0-2kt
SW, gusts 5
High 76°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
0-1kt
SSE, gusts 4
High 74°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
0-4kt
S, gusts 8
High 75°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
2-5kt
SSW, gusts 9
High 76°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
0-2kt
SSW, gusts 5
High 77°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-3kt
ESE, gusts 8
High 73°F, rain 16%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-4kt
SSE, gusts 9
High 71°F, rain 49%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Patoka
Over the next 7 days on Patoka Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 9 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
Thursday 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 Patoka, 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.
Patoka Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Patoka Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 73°F. Sunday: SSE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 71°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Patoka Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SSW wind around 2 to 5 kt and gusts near 9 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Patoka 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 Patoka is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.