Skip to content
lakeglance

FloridaNatural lake, 17,150 acres

Crescent Lake wind forecast

Crescent Lake, Florida
Photo: FloNight (Sydney Poore) and Russell Poore, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    11-14kt

    NNE, gusts 24

    High 78°F, rain 31%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    11-15kt

    NE, gusts 20

    High 81°F, rain 21%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    14-17kt

    NE, gusts 23

    High 78°F, rain 13%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    13-15kt

    NE, gusts 20

    High 80°F, rain 30%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    9-13kt

    NE, gusts 22

    High 79°F, rain 25%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    6-10kt

    ENE, gusts 19

    High 80°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  7. SunNov 1

    4-6kt

    ENE, gusts 15

    High 81°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore

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 Crescent

Over the next 7 days on Crescent Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Saturday, Sunday. 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.

Crescent Lake is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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.

Crescent Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Crescent Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 6 to 10 kt, gusts to 19 kt, high near 80°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: ENE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 81°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with NE wind around 11 to 15 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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