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MinnesotaGreat Lake, 20,349,128 acres

Lake Superior wind forecast

Lake Superior, Minnesota
Photo: Yinan Chen, Public Domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    6-10kt

    NE, gusts 13

    High 44°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    11-19kt

    E, gusts 23

    High 47°F, rain 91%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    5-8kt

    SW, gusts 11

    High 50°F, rain 67%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    6-8kt

    W, gusts 12

    High 48°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    5-6kt

    NW, gusts 9

    High 46°F, rain 11%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-9kt

    ESE, gusts 12

    High 47°F, rain 42%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-6kt

    WSW, gusts 10

    High 48°F, rain 31%

    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 Superior

Over the next 7 days on Lake Superior, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 23 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 Superior 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 Superior forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Superior this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 47°F. Sunday: WSW wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 48°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NE wind around 6 to 10 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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