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IllinoisNatural lake

Fox Chain o'Lakes wind forecast

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    9-11kt

    NE, gusts 17

    High 62°F, rain 4%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    6-10kt

    SE, gusts 16

    High 66°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-9kt

    SSW, gusts 13

    High 72°F, rain 2%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-10kt

    WSW, gusts 15

    High 73°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    1-4kt

    E, gusts 7

    High 70°F, rain 27%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2-5kt

    SE, gusts 8

    High 68°F, rain 32%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    SSE, gusts 7

    High 68°F, rain 33%

    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 Fox Chain o'Lakes

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

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Thursday. 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 Fox Chain o'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.

Fox Chain o'Lakes forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Fox Chain o'Lakes this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 68°F. Sunday: SSE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 68°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Fox Chain o'Lakes this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE 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 Fox Chain o'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 Fox Chain o'Lakes is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.