IdahoNatural lake, 94,641 acres, Bonner County, Kootenai County
Lake Pend Oreille wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-7kt
NNW, gusts 8
High 52°F, rain 79%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
3-10kt
SW, gusts 14
High 46°F, rain 97%
Good -
WedOct 28
1-10kt
S, gusts 13
High 41°F, rain 100%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
0-2kt
ENE, gusts 5
High 42°F, rain 38%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-3kt
NE, gusts 6
High 41°F, rain 38%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0-1kt
NE, gusts 4
High 44°F, rain 14%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0-1kt
W, gusts 5
High 46°F, rain 14%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Pend Oreille
Over the next 7 days on Lake Pend Oreille, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 14 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 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.
Lake Pend Oreille is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.
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 Pend Oreille forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Pend Oreille this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NE wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 44°F. Sunday: W wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Pend Oreille this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 3 to 10 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Pend Oreille 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 Pend Oreille is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.