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lakeglance

AlaskaNatural lake, 1,161 acres, North Slope Borough

Desperation Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    10-16kt

    S, gusts 25

    High 34°F, rain 97%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    21-26kt

    S, gusts 38

    High 35°F, rain 97%

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    22-24kt

    SSE, gusts 37

    High 33°F, rain 92%

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    8-18kt

    S, gusts 29

    High 29°F, rain 45%

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    8-11kt

    SE, gusts 18

    High 31°F, rain 77%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-7kt

    SE, gusts 11

    High 27°F, rain 60%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    4kt

    NNE, gusts 8

    High 20°F, rain 32%

    Light wind

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 Desperation

Over the next 7 days on Desperation Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 38 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Friday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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 Desperation, 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.

Desperation Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Desperation Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: SE wind 6 to 7 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 27°F, 60% chance of rain. Sunday: NNE wind 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 20°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Friday looks best, with SE wind around 8 to 11 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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