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MinnesotaNatural lake, 1,043 acres, Douglas County

Lake Darling wind forecast

Lake Darling, Minnesota
Photo: Drzerem, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    7-10kt

    ENE, gusts 16

    High 44°F, rain 70%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    8-10kt

    S, gusts 16

    High 52°F, rain 48%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-7kt

    SSW, gusts 13

    High 61°F, rain 58%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-5kt

    WNW, gusts 10

    High 58°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    6-9kt

    E, gusts 15

    High 57°F, rain 21%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-9kt

    SE, gusts 16

    High 59°F, rain 40%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-8kt

    SSW, gusts 15

    High 58°F, rain 23%

    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 Darling

Over the next 7 days on Lake Darling, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Tuesday 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 Darling, 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 Darling forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Darling this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 59°F. Sunday: SSW wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 58°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with S wind around 8 to 10 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 Lake Darling 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 Darling is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.