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ColoradoReservoir, 2,603 acres, La Plata County

Vallecito Reservoir wind forecast

Vallecito Reservoir, Colorado
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-4kt

    SSW, gusts 9

    High 47°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    2-7kt

    SSW, gusts 13

    High 49°F, rain 1%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    0-5kt

    S, gusts 14

    High 50°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-5kt

    SSE, gusts 14

    High 50°F, rain 21%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    0-4kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 47°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    0-2kt

    SSW, gusts 9

    High 43°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  7. SunNov 1

    2-3kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 41°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore

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 Vallecito

Over the next 7 days on Vallecito Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 14 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 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.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Friday, Saturday, Sunday. 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.

On a lake the size of Vallecito, 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.

Vallecito Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Vallecito Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 43°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: S wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 41°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSW wind around 2 to 7 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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