WisconsinNatural lake, 14,257 acres, Waushara County, Winnebago County
Lake Poygan wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
7-9kt
NE, gusts 15
High 54°F, rain 12%
Good -
TueOct 27
8-9kt
SE, gusts 17
High 63°F, rain 4%
Good -
WedOct 28
6-8kt
SSW, gusts 15
High 70°F, rain 17%
Good -
ThuOct 29
3-7kt
W, gusts 12
High 68°F, rain 27%
Good -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
WNW, gusts 10
High 64°F, rain 34%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
5-6kt
SSE, gusts 12
High 63°F, rain 42%
Good -
SunNov 1
3-4kt
SSW, gusts 10
High 64°F, rain 34%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Poygan
Over the next 7 days on Lake Poygan, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Monday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Poygan 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 Poygan forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Poygan this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 63°F. Sunday: SSW wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 64°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Poygan this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NE 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 Poygan 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 Poygan is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Lake WinneconneNatural lake, 4,530 ac, Wisconsin5 mi
- Partridge LakeNatural lake, 1,161 ac, Wisconsin9 mi
- Lake Butte des MortsNatural lake, 8,602 ac, Wisconsin12 mi
- Rush LakeNatural lake, 2,730 ac, Wisconsin15 mi
- White LakeNatural lake, 1,065 ac, Wisconsin16 mi
- Little Lake Butte Des MortsNatural lake, 1,201 ac, Wisconsin20 mi