Skip to content
lakeglance

North DakotaNatural lake, 2,305 acres, Benson County

Cranberry Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-9kt

    E, gusts 15

    High 42°F, rain 1%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    7-11kt

    SE, gusts 18

    High 43°F, rain 13%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    7-13kt

    WSW, gusts 21

    High 54°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-8kt

    W, gusts 13

    High 50°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    6-9kt

    E, gusts 16

    High 45°F, rain 21%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-6kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 48°F, rain 37%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-10kt

    SW, gusts 16

    High 51°F, rain 21%

    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 Cranberry

Over the next 7 days on Cranberry Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 21 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Sunday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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 Cranberry, 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.

Cranberry Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Cranberry Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 48°F. Sunday: SW wind 6 to 10 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 51°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with SW wind around 6 to 10 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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