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North DakotaReservoir, Ward County

Lake Darling wind forecast

Lake Darling, North Dakota
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-10kt

    ESE, gusts 17

    High 43°F, rain 1%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    8-12kt

    SE, gusts 20

    High 42°F, rain 50%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-16kt

    W, gusts 25

    High 53°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-8kt

    WNW, gusts 16

    High 48°F, rain 4%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    5-8kt

    E, gusts 15

    High 43°F, rain 33%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    4-5kt

    WNW, gusts 12

    High 47°F, rain 30%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    5-8kt

    SSE, gusts 16

    High 51°F, rain 20%

    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 Wednesday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Tuesday 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 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: WNW wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 47°F. Sunday: SSE wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 51°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 SE wind around 8 to 12 kt and gusts near 20 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.