CaliforniaReservoir, 28,355 acres
Shasta Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-3kt
SSW, gusts 9
High 61°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
2-4kt
NNE, gusts 10
High 62°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
1-5kt
N, gusts 11
High 64°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
1-4kt
SW, gusts 9
High 60°F, rain 3%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
SE, gusts 9
High 56°F, rain 11%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-3kt
E, gusts 6
High 54°F, rain 20%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
1-5kt
N, gusts 11
High 59°F, rain 10%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Shasta
Over the next 7 days on Shasta Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 11 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 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.
Shasta Lake 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.
Shasta Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Shasta Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: E wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 54°F. Sunday: N wind 1 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 59°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Shasta Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with NNE wind around 2 to 4 kt and gusts near 10 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Shasta 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 Shasta is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.