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North CarolinaNatural lake, 15,941 acres

Phelps Lake wind forecast

Phelps Lake, North Carolina
Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-10kt

    NNE, gusts 15

    High 70°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    4-9kt

    NNE, gusts 13

    High 70°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    7-10kt

    NE, gusts 15

    High 70°F, rain 2%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-7kt

    NE, gusts 11

    High 73°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    4-5kt

    NE, gusts 9

    High 73°F, rain 0%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    3-7kt

    NE, gusts 12

    High 73°F, rain 1%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-7kt

    ENE, gusts 13

    High 72°F, rain 33%

    Good

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 Phelps

Over the next 7 days on Phelps Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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.

Phelps 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.

Phelps Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Phelps Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NE wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 73°F. Sunday: ENE wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 72°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with NE wind around 7 to 10 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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