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TexasReservoir, 111,759 acres

Sam Rayburn Reservoir wind forecast

Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas
Photo: Ricraider, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-4kt

    ENE, gusts 9

    High 82°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    0-4kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 81°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    1-5kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 84°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-4kt

    E, gusts 12

    High 84°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    2-5kt

    E, gusts 12

    High 81°F, rain 14%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    1-5kt

    ESE, gusts 12

    High 82°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  7. SunNov 1

    0-4kt

    W, gusts 10

    High 86°F, rain 10%

    Light wind

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 Sam Rayburn

Over the next 7 days on Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Friday 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.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Saturday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

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.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir 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.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Sam Rayburn Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 82°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: W wind 0 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 86°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with E wind around 2 to 5 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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