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AlaskaNatural lake, 2,264 acres, North Slope Borough

Ikmakrak Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    10-12kt

    SSW, gusts 16

    High 30°F, rain 15%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    10-18kt

    SSE, gusts 21

    High 35°F, rain 56%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    14-15kt

    SSE, gusts 22

    High 34°F, rain 59%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    11-18kt

    SSW, gusts 25

    High 31°F, rain 11%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    8-11kt

    E, gusts 16

    High 28°F, rain 24%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-7kt

    WNW, gusts 11

    High 27°F, rain 11%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    7kt

    WSW, gusts 10

    High 23°F, rain 7%

    Good

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 Ikmakrak

Over the next 7 days on Ikmakrak Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 7 kt.

Monday 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 Ikmakrak, 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.

Ikmakrak Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Ikmakrak Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: WNW wind 6 to 7 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 27°F. Sunday: WSW wind 7 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 23°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Monday looks best, with SSW wind around 10 to 12 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 Ikmakrak 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 Ikmakrak is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.