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TennesseeReservoir, 33,441 acres

Watts Bar Lake wind forecast

Watts Bar Lake, Tennessee
Photo: ChristopherM, CC BY 2.5

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-2kt

    NE, gusts 7

    High 73°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 4

    High 74°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 5

    High 73°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 5

    High 75°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    0-1kt

    NE, gusts 6

    High 76°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0-1kt

    SSE, gusts 6

    High 74°F, rain 12%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0-3kt

    SE, gusts 11

    High 72°F, rain 64%

    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 Watts Bar

Over the next 7 days on Watts Bar Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Sunday, with gusts to about 11 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 0 kt.

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.

Watts Bar 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.

Watts Bar Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Watts Bar Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: SE wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 72°F, 64% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NE wind around 0 to 2 kt and gusts near 7 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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