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lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 2,179 acres, Glacier County

Lower Saint Mary Lake wind forecast

Lower Saint Mary Lake, Montana
Photo: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-3kt

    ESE, gusts 5

    High 47°F, rain 4%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    10-13kt

    WSW, gusts 27

    High 44°F, rain 49%

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    2-6kt

    W, gusts 13

    High 41°F, rain 81%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-5kt

    E, gusts 8

    High 34°F, rain 41%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    1-3kt

    SSW, gusts 6

    High 39°F, rain 17%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    5-7kt

    SW, gusts 13

    High 42°F, rain 12%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    3-6kt

    WSW, gusts 10

    High 43°F, rain 22%

    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 Lower Saint Mary

Over the next 7 days on Lower Saint Mary Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 27 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Saturday 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 Lower Saint Mary, 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.

Lower Saint Mary Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lower Saint Mary Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 42°F. Sunday: WSW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 43°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Lower Saint Mary Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with SW wind around 5 to 7 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 Lower Saint Mary 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 Lower Saint Mary is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.