Skip to content
lakeglance

MichiganNatural lake, 1,484 acres, Alger County

Cleveland Cliffs Basin wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-8kt

    N, gusts 15

    High 47°F, rain 6%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    2-9kt

    SE, gusts 18

    High 50°F, rain 10%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    7-11kt

    S, gusts 21

    High 65°F, rain 12%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-5kt

    NW, gusts 12

    High 61°F, rain 18%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    2-5kt

    WNW, gusts 9

    High 58°F, rain 24%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    2-6kt

    SSE, gusts 13

    High 59°F, rain 44%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    4-8kt

    WSW, gusts 14

    High 58°F, rain 29%

    Good

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 Cleveland Cliffs Basin

Over the next 7 days on Cleveland Cliffs Basin, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 21 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.

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 Cleveland Cliffs Basin, 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.

Cleveland Cliffs Basin forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Cleveland Cliffs Basin this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 2 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 59°F. Sunday: WSW wind 4 to 8 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 58°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Cleveland Cliffs Basin this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with N wind around 4 to 8 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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