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lakeglance

South DakotaNatural lake, 2,801 acres, Codington 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

    11-14kt

    ENE, gusts 24

    High 41°F, rain 99%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-12kt

    SSW, gusts 20

    High 51°F, rain 1%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-9kt

    SW, gusts 16

    High 61°F, rain 35%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-8kt

    ESE, gusts 15

    High 60°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    7-11kt

    E, gusts 19

    High 59°F, rain 36%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    7-10kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 61°F, rain 37%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    7-9kt

    SSW, gusts 17

    High 60°F, rain 22%

    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 Monday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 8 kt.

Sunday 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.

On a lake the size of Pelican, 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.

Pelican Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Pelican Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 7 to 10 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 61°F. Sunday: SSW wind 7 to 9 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 60°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, Sunday looks best, with SSW wind around 7 to 9 kt and gusts near 17 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.