Skip to content
lakeglance

IllinoisNatural lake, 1,113 acres, Marshall County

Goose Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-4kt

    ENE, gusts 11

    High 72°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    1-6kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 73°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    3-6kt

    S, gusts 13

    High 73°F, rain 3%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-8kt

    SW, gusts 15

    High 77°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    2-5kt

    E, gusts 10

    High 75°F, rain 25%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    3-5kt

    SE, gusts 10

    High 72°F, rain 36%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    1-4kt

    SSE, gusts 10

    High 71°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 Goose

Over the next 7 days on Goose Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Monday 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 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 Goose, 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.

Goose Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Goose Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 72°F. Sunday: SSE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 71°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with S wind around 3 to 6 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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