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AlaskaNatural lake, 1,310 acres, Anchorage

Portage Lake wind forecast

Portage Lake, Alaska
Photo: steve lyon from los angeles, ca, usa, CC BY-SA 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    2-7kt

    WNW, gusts 16

    High 41°F, rain 23%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    2-7kt

    W, gusts 10

    High 41°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-7kt

    E, gusts 10

    High 43°F, rain 66%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    6-10kt

    E, gusts 25

    High 42°F, rain 84%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    7-12kt

    E, gusts 35

    High 44°F, rain 98%

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    4-5kt

    E, gusts 12

    High 40°F, rain 67%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    1-4kt

    ENE, gusts 10

    High 38°F, rain 57%

    Light wind

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 Portage

Over the next 7 days on Portage Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 35 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 Portage, 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.

Portage Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Portage Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: E wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 40°F, 67% chance of rain. Sunday: ENE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 38°F, 57% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Tuesday looks best, with W wind around 2 to 7 kt and gusts near 10 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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