MaineNatural lake, 3,694 acres, Kennebec County
Messalonskee Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-5kt
WNW, gusts 10
High 63°F, rain 11%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
2-6kt
NNW, gusts 12
High 49°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
0-4kt
SW, gusts 8
High 51°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
2-5kt
SSW, gusts 10
High 60°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
4-10kt
W, gusts 19
High 65°F, rain 10%
Good -
SatOct 31
2-5kt
WNW, gusts 10
High 57°F, rain 6%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-5kt
SW, gusts 10
High 57°F, rain 14%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Messalonskee
Over the next 7 days on Messalonskee Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Friday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 Messalonskee, 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.
Messalonskee Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Messalonskee Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 57°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Messalonskee Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with W wind around 4 to 10 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Messalonskee 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 Messalonskee is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.