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lakeglance

MinnesotaNatural lake, 2,153 acres, Lake County

Lake Three wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-4kt

    NNE, gusts 8

    High 43°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    7-9kt

    ESE, gusts 20

    High 44°F, rain 85%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-7kt

    SW, gusts 17

    High 60°F, rain 50%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-7kt

    WNW, gusts 15

    High 53°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    2-5kt

    WNW, gusts 11

    High 51°F, rain 8%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    4-6kt

    SSE, gusts 13

    High 53°F, rain 37%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    3-5kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 55°F, rain 32%

    Use caution

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 Three

Over the next 7 days on Lake Three, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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 Three, 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 Three forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Three this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 53°F. Sunday: SW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 55°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 7 to 9 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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