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MinnesotaReservoir, 5,976 acres, St. Louis County

Island Lake Reservoir wind forecast

Island Lake Reservoir, Minnesota
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-6kt

    ENE, gusts 11

    High 44°F, rain 7%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    8-14kt

    ESE, gusts 23

    High 46°F, rain 90%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    4-6kt

    SW, gusts 14

    High 59°F, rain 61%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-5kt

    WNW, gusts 12

    High 55°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    3-5kt

    N, gusts 10

    High 52°F, rain 12%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    5-7kt

    SE, gusts 14

    High 53°F, rain 47%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    4-5kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 55°F, rain 32%

    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 Island Lake

Over the next 7 days on Island Lake Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Saturday 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.

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 Island Lake, 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.

Island Lake Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Island Lake Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 53°F. Sunday: SW wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 55°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with SE wind around 5 to 7 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Island Lake Reservoir 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 Island Lake is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.