MontanaReservoir, 5,252 acres, Pondera County
Lake Frances wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-7kt
ESE, gusts 14
High 41°F, rain 3%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
7-16kt
WSW, gusts 27
High 48°F, rain 8%
Stay ashore -
WedOct 28
5-8kt
WNW, gusts 16
High 47°F, rain 16%
Good -
ThuOct 29
4-5kt
NE, gusts 10
High 35°F, rain 23%
Good -
FriOct 30
3-4kt
ESE, gusts 9
High 37°F, rain 33%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-3kt
SW, gusts 8
High 42°F, rain 12%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
3-4kt
WNW, gusts 10
High 42°F, rain 24%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Frances
Over the next 7 days on Lake Frances, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 27 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Wednesday 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 Frances, 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 Frances forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Frances this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 42°F. Sunday: WNW wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 42°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Frances this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with WNW wind around 5 to 8 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 Frances 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 Frances is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.