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WisconsinReservoir, 23,017 acres, Adams County, Juneau County, Wood County

Petenwell Lake wind forecast

Petenwell Lake, Wisconsin
Photo: Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    7-11kt

    ENE, gusts 16

    High 55°F, rain 17%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    9-14kt

    SE, gusts 18

    High 66°F, rain 7%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    8-9kt

    S, gusts 17

    High 70°F, rain 61%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-7kt

    WNW, gusts 12

    High 68°F, rain 22%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    4-5kt

    SSE, gusts 11

    High 65°F, rain 40%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    6-9kt

    SE, gusts 14

    High 64°F, rain 49%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    4-5kt

    SSW, gusts 11

    High 65°F, rain 32%

    Use caution

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 Petenwell

Over the next 7 days on Petenwell Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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.

Petenwell 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.

Petenwell Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Petenwell Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 64°F. Sunday: SSW wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 65°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 9 to 14 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 Petenwell 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 Petenwell is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.