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MinnesotaNatural lake, 7,995 acres, Pope County

Lake Minnewaska wind forecast

Lake Minnewaska, Minnesota
Photo: Trick on, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    9-11kt

    ENE, gusts 16

    High 44°F, rain 84%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    8-11kt

    S, gusts 15

    High 53°F, rain 37%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-7kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 62°F, rain 64%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-5kt

    NNW, gusts 9

    High 59°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    7-9kt

    ENE, gusts 15

    High 59°F, rain 27%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    7-9kt

    SE, gusts 15

    High 61°F, rain 41%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-8kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 59°F, rain 21%

    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 Minnewaska

Over the next 7 days on Lake Minnewaska, 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.

Friday 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 Minnewaska, 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 Minnewaska forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Minnewaska this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 7 to 9 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 61°F. Sunday: SSW wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 59°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with ENE wind around 7 to 9 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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