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AlaskaNatural lake, 1,751 acres, Bethel Census Area

Kanuktik Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    5-12kt

    SW, gusts 17

    High 40°F, rain 75%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    8-9kt

    SE, gusts 12

    High 39°F, rain 38%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-7kt

    ESE, gusts 16

    High 41°F, rain 97%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    14-22kt

    SE, gusts 36

    High 36°F, rain 99%

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    14-16kt

    SSE, gusts 27

    High 35°F, rain 98%

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    12-13kt

    SSW, gusts 20

    High 33°F, rain 81%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    7-11kt

    NNE, gusts 17

    High 31°F, rain 43%

    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 Kanuktik

Over the next 7 days on Kanuktik Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 36 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 7 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 Kanuktik, 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.

Kanuktik Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Kanuktik Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: SSW wind 12 to 13 kt, gusts to 20 kt, high near 33°F, 81% chance of rain. Sunday: NNE wind 7 to 11 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 31°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 8 to 9 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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