WisconsinNatural lake, 1,273 acres, Forest County
Pickerel Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-4kt
NE, gusts 11
High 50°F, rain 21%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
6-8kt
SE, gusts 19
High 55°F, rain 21%
Good -
WedOct 28
4-7kt
SSW, gusts 17
High 67°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
2-4kt
NW, gusts 11
High 64°F, rain 14%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
1-4kt
NW, gusts 11
High 60°F, rain 20%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
3-5kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 59°F, rain 37%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
1-4kt
SW, gusts 11
High 61°F, rain 35%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Pickerel
Over the next 7 days on Pickerel Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Tuesday 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.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.
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 Pickerel, 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.
Pickerel Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Pickerel Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 59°F. Sunday: SW wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 61°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Pickerel Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 6 to 8 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Pickerel 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 Pickerel is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.