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lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 3,659 acres, Phillips County

Lake Bowdoin wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    9-16kt

    ESE, gusts 23

    High 48°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-8kt

    S, gusts 14

    High 45°F, rain 86%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-7kt

    W, gusts 14

    High 53°F, rain 2%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-5kt

    NNW, gusts 12

    High 44°F, rain 3%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    4-7kt

    E, gusts 13

    High 42°F, rain 23%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    0-3kt

    WNW, gusts 8

    High 48°F, rain 10%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    2-6kt

    S, gusts 13

    High 50°F, rain 24%

    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 Bowdoin

Over the next 7 days on Lake Bowdoin, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Friday 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 Bowdoin, 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.

Lake Bowdoin forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Bowdoin this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 48°F. Sunday: S wind 2 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 50°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with E wind around 4 to 7 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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