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lakeglance

FloridaNatural lake, 2,986 acres, Calhoun County

Dead Lakes wind forecast

Dead Lakes, Florida
Photo: The Bushranger, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-8kt

    NE, gusts 17

    High 79°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    4-6kt

    NE, gusts 12

    High 81°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-7kt

    NE, gusts 15

    High 82°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    6-8kt

    NE, gusts 17

    High 82°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    4-7kt

    ENE, gusts 16

    High 83°F, rain 1%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    1-6kt

    E, gusts 13

    High 83°F, rain 13%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    SE, gusts 9

    High 83°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 Dead Lakes

Over the next 7 days on Dead Lakes, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 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.

On a lake the size of Dead Lakes, 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.

Dead Lakes forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Dead Lakes this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: E wind 1 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 83°F. Sunday: SE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 83°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Dead Lakes this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with NE wind around 6 to 7 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 Dead Lakes 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 Dead Lakes is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.