MichiganNatural lake, 1,998 acres, Grand Traverse County
Green Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-6kt
NNE, gusts 15
High 53°F, rain 8%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
2-5kt
SE, gusts 15
High 59°F, rain 8%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
4-6kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 69°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
2-6kt
WSW, gusts 19
High 64°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
0-4kt
WNW, gusts 10
High 63°F, rain 13%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
3-4kt
S, gusts 13
High 63°F, rain 26%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-4kt
SSW, gusts 11
High 63°F, rain 38%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Green
Over the next 7 days on Green 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 Green, 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.
Green Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Green Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 63°F. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 63°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Green Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SSW wind around 4 to 6 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 Green 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 Green is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.