AlaskaNatural lake, 2,249 acres, Fairbanks North Star Borough
Harding Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
4-10kt
S, gusts 19
High 37°F, rain 83%
Good -
TueOct 27
4-7kt
ESE, gusts 10
High 37°F, rain 49%
Good -
WedOct 28
9-10kt
ESE, gusts 16
High 32°F, rain 2%
Good -
ThuOct 29
4-10kt
ESE, gusts 17
High 34°F, rain 13%
Good -
FriOct 30
5-10kt
ESE, gusts 14
High 36°F, rain 35%
Good -
SatOct 31
3-4kt
ESE, gusts 6
High 32°F, rain 21%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
SE, gusts 5
High 27°F, rain 23%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Harding
Over the next 7 days on Harding Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.
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 Harding, 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.
Harding Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Harding Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: ESE wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 32°F. Sunday: SE wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 27°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Harding Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Wednesday looks best, with ESE wind around 9 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 Harding 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 Harding is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.