MinnesotaNatural lake, 1,328 acres, Sibley County
High Island Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
6-8kt
ENE, gusts 15
High 46°F, rain 93%
Good -
TueOct 27
3-9kt
SSW, gusts 17
High 59°F, rain 34%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-7kt
S, gusts 14
High 67°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
1-3kt
N, gusts 7
High 62°F, rain 3%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
3-5kt
ENE, gusts 12
High 62°F, rain 35%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3-7kt
SSE, gusts 13
High 63°F, rain 52%
Good -
SunNov 1
3-5kt
SW, gusts 12
High 61°F, rain 23%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on High Island
Over the next 7 days on High Island Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Monday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Wednesday. 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 High Island, 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.
High Island Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for High Island Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 63°F, 52% chance of rain. Sunday: SW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 61°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on High Island Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ENE wind around 6 to 8 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the High Island 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 High Island is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.