CaliforniaReservoir, 12,602 acres, Merced County
San Luis Reservoir wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
4-8kt
WNW, gusts 13
High 69°F, rain 0%
Good -
TueOct 27
6-9kt
W, gusts 14
High 66°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-7kt
NNE, gusts 11
High 66°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
1-4kt
WSW, gusts 10
High 66°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
7-8kt
WSW, gusts 14
High 62°F, rain 3%
Good -
SatOct 31
3-5kt
WNW, gusts 11
High 57°F, rain 27%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
6-11kt
N, gusts 18
High 58°F, rain 22%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on San Luis
Over the next 7 days on San Luis Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Sunday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 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.
San Luis 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.
San Luis Reservoir forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for San Luis Reservoir this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 57°F. Sunday: N wind 6 to 11 kt, gusts to 18 kt, high near 58°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on San Luis Reservoir this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with W wind around 6 to 9 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the San Luis 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 San Luis is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.