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lakeglance

MinnesotaNatural lake, 1,582 acres, Polk County

Maple Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-8kt

    ENE, gusts 14

    High 45°F, rain 1%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    7-8kt

    ESE, gusts 16

    High 49°F, rain 61%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-8kt

    SW, gusts 16

    High 55°F, rain 13%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-5kt

    W, gusts 10

    High 53°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    4-7kt

    ENE, gusts 14

    High 51°F, rain 15%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-7kt

    SSE, gusts 14

    High 55°F, rain 36%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-8kt

    WSW, gusts 15

    High 55°F, rain 25%

    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 Maple

Over the next 7 days on Maple Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Sunday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Maple, 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.

Maple Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Maple Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 55°F. Sunday: WSW wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 55°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with WSW wind around 6 to 8 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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