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MichiganNatural lake, 275,275 acres, Macomb County, St. Clair County, Wayne County

Lake St. Clair wind forecast

Lake St. Clair, Michigan
Photo: Simon Rae simonrae, CC0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-14kt

    N, gusts 17

    High 60°F, rain 2%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    7-11kt

    E, gusts 14

    High 58°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-7kt

    SSE, gusts 11

    High 64°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    10-12kt

    SW, gusts 19

    High 67°F, rain 11%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    5-6kt

    NNW, gusts 9

    High 64°F, rain 6%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-8kt

    ESE, gusts 11

    High 63°F, rain 11%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    7-8kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 63°F, rain 37%

    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 St. Clair

Over the next 7 days on Lake St. Clair, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 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 St. Clair 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 St. Clair forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake St. Clair this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 63°F. Sunday: SSE wind 7 to 8 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 63°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Lake St. Clair this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with N wind around 5 to 14 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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