WisconsinNatural lake, 26 acres, Washburn County
Browns Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
5-7kt
ENE, gusts 13
High 49°F, rain 47%
Good -
TueOct 27
8-15kt
SSE, gusts 23
High 59°F, rain 62%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
5-9kt
S, gusts 17
High 67°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
1-5kt
NW, gusts 11
High 62°F, rain 4%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
3-5kt
NE, gusts 11
High 61°F, rain 22%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
5-8kt
SSE, gusts 16
High 61°F, rain 52%
Good -
SunNov 1
2-7kt
SSW, gusts 13
High 62°F, rain 32%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Browns
Over the next 7 days on Browns Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.
Monday 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.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday. 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 Browns, 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.
Browns Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Browns Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 61°F, 52% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 62°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Browns Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ENE 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 Browns 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 Browns is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.