AlaskaNatural lake, 1,706 acres, Haines
Chilkoot Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
3-5kt
NW, gusts 10
High 46°F, rain 14%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
7-9kt
NNW, gusts 29
High 51°F, rain 0%
Stay ashore -
WedOct 28
5-7kt
N, gusts 12
High 45°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
0-3kt
NNW, gusts 7
High 44°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-5kt
SSE, gusts 11
High 44°F, rain 37%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3-4kt
SSE, gusts 9
High 47°F, rain 46%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
SE, gusts 6
High 46°F, rain 42%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Chilkoot
Over the next 7 days on Chilkoot Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 29 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Wednesday 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.
On a lake the size of Chilkoot, 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.
Chilkoot Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Chilkoot Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 47°F. Sunday: SE wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Chilkoot Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Wednesday looks best, with N wind around 5 to 7 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Chilkoot 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 Chilkoot is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.