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MontanaNatural lake, 2,079 acres, Lewis and Clark County

Lake Helena wind forecast

Lake Helena, Montana
Photo: Montanabw, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-3kt

    SE, gusts 10

    High 49°F, rain 9%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    5-14kt

    SW, gusts 25

    High 50°F, rain 6%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    1-5kt

    SSE, gusts 15

    High 51°F, rain 16%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-7kt

    N, gusts 13

    High 44°F, rain 9%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    0-2kt

    NE, gusts 7

    High 46°F, rain 33%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0-2kt

    WSW, gusts 6

    High 49°F, rain 21%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0-4kt

    W, gusts 9

    High 48°F, rain 35%

    Light wind

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 Helena

Over the next 7 days on Lake Helena, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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 Helena, 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 Helena forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Helena this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 0 to 2 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 49°F. Sunday: W wind 0 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 48°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 5 to 14 kt and gusts near 25 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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