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lakeglance

North DakotaNatural lake, 13,872 acres, Ramsey County

Pelican Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-9kt

    E, gusts 14

    High 41°F, rain 1%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    10kt

    ESE, gusts 18

    High 44°F, rain 12%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    7-12kt

    WSW, gusts 21

    High 54°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-7kt

    W, gusts 13

    High 50°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    7-8kt

    E, gusts 16

    High 45°F, rain 17%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-8kt

    SE, gusts 14

    High 49°F, rain 34%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    7-9kt

    W, gusts 16

    High 51°F, rain 19%

    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 Pelican

Over the next 7 days on Pelican Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 21 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 7 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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.

Pelican 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.

Pelican Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Pelican Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 49°F. Sunday: W wind 7 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 51°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 10 to 10 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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