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KansasReservoir, 9,339 acres

Waconda Lake wind forecast

Waconda Lake, Kansas
Photo: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    8-11kt

    S, gusts 20

    High 68°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    3-8kt

    SE, gusts 16

    High 66°F, rain 18%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-13kt

    S, gusts 22

    High 76°F, rain 3%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-6kt

    E, gusts 13

    High 75°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    8-11kt

    SSE, gusts 21

    High 72°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    5-9kt

    S, gusts 17

    High 68°F, rain 33%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-6kt

    SE, gusts 12

    High 67°F, rain 39%

    Good

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 Waconda

Over the next 7 days on Waconda Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Saturday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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 Monday, Thursday, Friday. 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 Waconda, 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.

Waconda Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Waconda Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 5 to 9 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 68°F. Sunday: SE wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 67°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Waconda Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with S wind around 5 to 9 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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