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lakeglance

MichiganNatural lake, 6,293 acres, Leelanau County

Glen Lake wind forecast

Glen Lake, Michigan
Photo: Hgjudd, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    6-8kt

    NNE, gusts 15

    High 52°F, rain 8%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    4-6kt

    SE, gusts 13

    High 58°F, rain 14%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    7-8kt

    SSW, gusts 17

    High 62°F, rain 2%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-9kt

    SW, gusts 19

    High 59°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    1-4kt

    NW, gusts 9

    High 58°F, rain 14%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    4-5kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 59°F, rain 25%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    2-5kt

    SSW, gusts 10

    High 59°F, rain 39%

    Use caution

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 Glen

Over the next 7 days on Glen Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Wednesday 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 Glen, 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.

Glen Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Glen Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 59°F. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 59°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SSW wind around 7 to 8 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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