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lakeglance

AlaskaNatural lake, 2,677 acres, Northwest Arctic Borough

Potoniek Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    9-12kt

    S, gusts 17

    High 37°F, rain 68%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    17-19kt

    SSE, gusts 25

    High 39°F, rain 94%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    16-23kt

    SE, gusts 30

    High 37°F, rain 88%

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    13-25kt

    ESE, gusts 31

    High 35°F, rain 66%

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    10-16kt

    ESE, gusts 22

    High 36°F, rain 83%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    8-9kt

    NE, gusts 13

    High 33°F, rain 58%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    4-8kt

    NNE, gusts 11

    High 29°F, rain 32%

    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 Potoniek

Over the next 7 days on Potoniek Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 31 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 8 kt.

Saturday 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.

On a lake the size of Potoniek, 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.

Potoniek Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Potoniek Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: NE wind 8 to 9 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 33°F, 58% chance of rain. Sunday: NNE wind 4 to 8 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 29°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Saturday looks best, with NE wind around 8 to 9 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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