WashingtonNatural lake, 2,190 acres, Whitman County
Rock Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-5kt
SSW, gusts 10
High 52°F, rain 83%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
7-9kt
SW, gusts 16
High 54°F, rain 41%
Good -
WedOct 28
5-10kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 51°F, rain 87%
Good -
ThuOct 29
3-4kt
ENE, gusts 8
High 52°F, rain 16%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
SSW, gusts 7
High 49°F, rain 24%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-3kt
NE, gusts 5
High 51°F, rain 11%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-4kt
SSW, gusts 6
High 51°F, rain 18%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Rock
Over the next 7 days on Rock Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Rock, 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.
Rock Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Rock Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NE wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 51°F. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 51°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Rock Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 7 to 9 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 Rock 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 Rock is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.