MontanaNatural lake, 3,904 acres, Glacier County
Saint Mary Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0-2kt
E, gusts 5
High 46°F, rain 5%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
14-16kt
WSW, gusts 29
High 38°F, rain 76%
Stay ashore -
WedOct 28
4-10kt
SW, gusts 18
High 37°F, rain 86%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-5kt
E, gusts 10
High 31°F, rain 40%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
2-3kt
S, gusts 8
High 36°F, rain 17%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
5-8kt
SW, gusts 15
High 38°F, rain 16%
Good -
SunNov 1
5-6kt
WSW, gusts 12
High 39°F, rain 23%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Saint Mary
Over the next 7 days on Saint Mary Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 29 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.
Saturday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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 Saint Mary, 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.
Saint Mary Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Saint Mary Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SW wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 38°F. Sunday: WSW wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 39°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Saint Mary Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with SW wind around 5 to 8 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Saint Mary 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 Saint Mary is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.