MinnesotaNatural lake, 1,045 acres, Sibley County
Erin Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
6-8kt
ENE, gusts 15
High 47°F, rain 92%
Good -
TueOct 27
3-10kt
SSW, gusts 18
High 60°F, rain 34%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-8kt
S, gusts 14
High 68°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
2-3kt
N, gusts 7
High 63°F, rain 3%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
3-6kt
ENE, gusts 11
High 62°F, rain 35%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3-7kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 64°F, rain 52%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
3-6kt
SW, gusts 12
High 62°F, rain 23%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Erin
Over the next 7 days on Erin Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 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.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday. 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 Erin, 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.
Erin Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Erin Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 64°F, 52% chance of rain. Sunday: SW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 62°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Erin Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ENE wind around 6 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 Erin 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 Erin is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- High Island LakeNatural lake, 1,328 ac, Minnesota12 mi
- Lake WaconiaNatural lake, 3,069 ac, Minnesota16 mi
- Lake MinnetonkaNatural lake, 14,579 ac, Minnesota27 mi
- Middle LakeNatural lake, 2,681 ac, Minnesota27 mi
- Swan LakeNatural lake, 10,095 ac, Minnesota29 mi
- Lake JeffersonNatural lake, 1,275 ac, Minnesota29 mi