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MinnesotaNatural lake, 14,025 acres, Otter Tail County

Otter Tail Lake wind forecast

Otter Tail Lake, Minnesota
Photo: Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    9-10kt

    ENE, gusts 16

    High 44°F, rain 33%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    9-13kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 51°F, rain 53%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-7kt

    SW, gusts 13

    High 58°F, rain 35%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-4kt

    WNW, gusts 10

    High 56°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    7-9kt

    E, gusts 16

    High 55°F, rain 18%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-10kt

    SE, gusts 17

    High 58°F, rain 45%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-9kt

    SSW, gusts 16

    High 57°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 Otter Tail

Over the next 7 days on Otter Tail Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Friday 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.

Otter Tail 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.

Otter Tail Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Otter Tail Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 6 to 10 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: SSW wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with E wind around 7 to 9 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 Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.