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ColoradoReservoir, Ouray County

Ridgway Reservoir wind forecast

Ridgway Reservoir, Colorado
Photo: A.E. Crane, National Scenic Byways Online; color-corrected by Howcheng ., Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-5kt

    WNW, gusts 9

    High 53°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-9kt

    WSW, gusts 15

    High 58°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    2-9kt

    WSW, gusts 18

    High 59°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-7kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 60°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    1-6kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 56°F, rain 35%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    1-4kt

    W, gusts 10

    High 52°F, rain 43%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-3kt

    SW, gusts 9

    High 49°F, rain 83%

    Stay ashore

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 Ridgway

Over the next 7 days on Ridgway Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Tuesday 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 Ridgway, 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.

Ridgway Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Ridgway Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: W wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 52°F. Sunday: SW wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 49°F, 83% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with WSW wind around 4 to 9 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 Ridgway 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 Ridgway is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.