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lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 3,661 acres, Lewis and Clark County

Holter Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-5kt

    S, gusts 10

    High 50°F, rain 7%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    7-12kt

    SSW, gusts 22

    High 50°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    3-8kt

    SSW, gusts 15

    High 51°F, rain 12%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-6kt

    NNE, gusts 11

    High 41°F, rain 11%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    1-3kt

    SW, gusts 8

    High 44°F, rain 26%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2-5kt

    SSW, gusts 9

    High 48°F, rain 23%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    3-5kt

    WSW, gusts 11

    High 47°F, rain 36%

    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 Holter

Over the next 7 days on Holter Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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 Holter, 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.

Holter Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Holter Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 48°F. Sunday: WSW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 47°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SSW wind around 3 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 Holter 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 Holter is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.