AlaskaNatural lake, 1,052 acres, Juneau City and Borough
Mendenhall Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
0-1kt
NE, gusts 6
High 44°F, rain 22%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
4-7kt
NE, gusts 16
High 49°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
2-4kt
NE, gusts 8
High 43°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
0-1kt
ENE, gusts 2
High 43°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-5kt
ESE, gusts 11
High 42°F, rain 40%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3-4kt
ESE, gusts 9
High 43°F, rain 60%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
1-3kt
ESE, gusts 6
High 44°F, rain 51%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Mendenhall
Over the next 7 days on Mendenhall Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 1 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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 Mendenhall, 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.
Mendenhall Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Mendenhall Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: ESE wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 43°F, 60% chance of rain. Sunday: ESE wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 44°F, 51% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Mendenhall Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Tuesday looks best, with NE wind around 4 to 7 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 Mendenhall 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 Mendenhall is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.