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lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 2,700 acres, Cascade County

Benton Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-4kt

    E, gusts 10

    High 42°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    11-21kt

    SW, gusts 30

    High 51°F, rain 1%

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    7-16kt

    SW, gusts 23

    High 51°F, rain 11%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-7kt

    NNE, gusts 13

    High 38°F, rain 11%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    2-3kt

    NE, gusts 8

    High 40°F, rain 16%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2-3kt

    SSW, gusts 8

    High 44°F, rain 17%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    4-5kt

    W, gusts 11

    High 45°F, rain 30%

    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 Benton

Over the next 7 days on Benton Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 30 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Thursday 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.

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 Benton, 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.

Benton Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Benton Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 44°F. Sunday: W wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 45°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with NNE wind around 5 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 Benton 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 Benton is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.