ColoradoReservoir, 241 acres, Garfield County
Rifle Gap Reservoir wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-6kt
SSW, gusts 11
High 57°F, rain 2%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
4-10kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 60°F, rain 1%
Good -
WedOct 28
4-10kt
SSW, gusts 18
High 61°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-6kt
SSE, gusts 10
High 62°F, rain 3%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
3-6kt
S, gusts 14
High 61°F, rain 30%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
2-4kt
S, gusts 10
High 56°F, rain 56%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
3-5kt
SSW, gusts 11
High 54°F, rain 79%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Rifle Gap
Over the next 7 days on Rifle Gap Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 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 Rifle Gap, 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.
Rifle Gap Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Rifle Gap Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 56°F, 56% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 54°F, 79% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Rifle Gap Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSW wind around 4 to 10 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Rifle Gap 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 Rifle Gap is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.