MontanaNatural lake, 2,972 acres, Flathead County
Little Bitterroot Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-2kt
SE, gusts 5
High 47°F, rain 89%
Stay ashore -
TueOct 27
4-6kt
SW, gusts 16
High 40°F, rain 70%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
3-8kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 38°F, rain 85%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
1-2kt
ENE, gusts 6
High 38°F, rain 30%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
1kt
E, gusts 5
High 39°F, rain 25%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
0-1kt
WSW, gusts 4
High 41°F, rain 12%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
0-1kt
W, gusts 4
High 42°F, rain 24%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Little Bitterroot
Over the next 7 days on Little Bitterroot Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
Wednesday 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.
On a lake the size of Little Bitterroot, 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.
Little Bitterroot Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Little Bitterroot Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 41°F. Sunday: W wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 42°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Little Bitterroot Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SSW wind around 3 to 8 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Little Bitterroot Lake 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 Little Bitterroot is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.