MontanaNatural lake, 6,823 acres, Flathead County
Lake McDonald wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0kt
Variable, gusts 3
High 54°F, rain 13%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
2-3kt
SSW, gusts 10
High 45°F, rain 89%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
0-3kt
SSW, gusts 10
High 43°F, rain 99%
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
0-1kt
ENE, gusts 4
High 42°F, rain 28%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-1kt
NE, gusts 5
High 45°F, rain 19%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0kt
Variable, gusts 4
High 46°F, rain 17%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0kt
Variable, gusts 4
High 48°F, rain 21%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on McDonald
Over the next 7 days on Lake McDonald, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 10 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 0 kt.
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 McDonald, 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 McDonald forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake McDonald this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: wind 0 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: wind 0 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 48°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake McDonald this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with wind around 0 to 0 kt and gusts near 3 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake McDonald 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 McDonald is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.