Skip to content
lakeglance

AlaskaNatural lake, 14,852 acres, Yakutat City and Borough

Alsek Lake wind forecast

Alsek Lake, Alaska
Photo: NPS, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    1-4kt

    ENE, gusts 9

    High 45°F, rain 64%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    9-14kt

    NE, gusts 24

    High 44°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    2-8kt

    NE, gusts 11

    High 40°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2kt

    E, gusts 5

    High 39°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    4-10kt

    SSE, gusts 18

    High 41°F, rain 69%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-10kt

    SE, gusts 14

    High 43°F, rain 76%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    3-5kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 41°F, rain 65%

    Use caution

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 Alsek

Over the next 7 days on Alsek Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Saturday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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.

Alsek 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.

Alsek Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Alsek Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: SE wind 5 to 10 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 43°F, 76% chance of rain. Sunday: ESE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 41°F, 65% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Saturday looks best, with SE wind around 5 to 10 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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