CaliforniaReservoir, 4,075 acres, Butte County
Thermalito Afterbay wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-5kt
S, gusts 12
High 68°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
2-3kt
WSW, gusts 7
High 67°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
1-3kt
WNW, gusts 8
High 70°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
0-3kt
SSW, gusts 8
High 66°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
SSE, gusts 10
High 63°F, rain 5%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-3kt
SSW, gusts 8
High 61°F, rain 22%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-5kt
NW, gusts 11
High 63°F, rain 14%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Thermalito Afterbay
Over the next 7 days on Thermalito Afterbay, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Sunday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 Thermalito Afterbay, 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.
Thermalito Afterbay forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Thermalito Afterbay this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 61°F. Sunday: NW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 63°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Thermalito Afterbay this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with NW wind around 2 to 5 kt and gusts near 11 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Thermalito Afterbay 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 Thermalito Afterbay is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Thermalito ForebayReservoir, 576 ac, California5 mi
- Lake OrovilleReservoir, 11,482 ac, California13 mi
- Englebright LakeReservoir, 130 ac, California27 mi
- New Bullards Bar ReservoirReservoir, 4,084 ac, California29 mi
- Sly Creek ReservoirReservoir, 618 ac, California31 mi
- Camp Far West ReservoirReservoir, 1,472 ac, California35 mi