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lakeglance

WisconsinNatural lake, 1,057 acres, Vilas County

Plum Lake wind forecast

Plum Lake, Wisconsin
Photo: George Two, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-5kt

    NE, gusts 11

    High 48°F, rain 18%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    6-10kt

    SSE, gusts 19

    High 54°F, rain 40%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-8kt

    SSW, gusts 16

    High 65°F, rain 81%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-5kt

    NW, gusts 11

    High 61°F, rain 11%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    1-4kt

    WNW, gusts 11

    High 58°F, rain 18%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    4-6kt

    S, gusts 13

    High 58°F, rain 40%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    2-5kt

    SW, gusts 11

    High 60°F, rain 33%

    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 Plum

Over the next 7 days on Plum Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Friday 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.

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 Plum, 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.

Plum Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Plum Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 60°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSE wind around 6 to 10 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 Plum 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 Plum is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.