WashingtonReservoir, 8,274 acres, Douglas County, Grant County, Okanogan County
Rufus Woods Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-4kt
WNW, gusts 8
High 55°F, rain 59%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
3-9kt
SSW, gusts 17
High 58°F, rain 4%
Good -
WedOct 28
2-3kt
SSW, gusts 7
High 52°F, rain 32%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
3-6kt
N, gusts 11
High 46°F, rain 57%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
2-5kt
N, gusts 9
High 47°F, rain 34%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
2-3kt
NW, gusts 6
High 47°F, rain 12%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
NW, gusts 6
High 49°F, rain 5%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Rufus Woods
Over the next 7 days on Rufus Woods Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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 Rufus Woods, 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.
Rufus Woods Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Rufus Woods Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 47°F. Sunday: NW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 49°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Rufus Woods Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSW wind around 3 to 9 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Rufus Woods 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 Rufus Woods is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.