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MinnesotaNatural lake, 132,448 acres, Aitkin County, Crow Wing County, Mille Lacs County

Mille Lacs Lake wind forecast

Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota
Photo: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    7-11kt

    ENE, gusts 15

    High 45°F, rain 39%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    8-23kt

    SE, gusts 26

    High 52°F, rain 79%

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    3-8kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 60°F, rain 63%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-6kt

    NW, gusts 9

    High 56°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    4-7kt

    NE, gusts 12

    High 55°F, rain 21%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-11kt

    SE, gusts 17

    High 57°F, rain 45%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-7kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 57°F, rain 27%

    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 Mille Lacs

Over the next 7 days on Mille Lacs Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 26 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Monday 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.

Mille Lacs Lake is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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.

Mille Lacs Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Mille Lacs Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 5 to 11 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 57°F. Sunday: SSW wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ENE wind around 7 to 11 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 Mille Lacs 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 Mille Lacs is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.