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lakeglance

MinnesotaNatural lake, 4,202 acres, Itasca County

Sand Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-3kt

    NE, gusts 10

    High 44°F, rain 11%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    4-5kt

    ESE, gusts 16

    High 49°F, rain 87%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    1-4kt

    SSW, gusts 13

    High 57°F, rain 21%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-3kt

    WNW, gusts 10

    High 54°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-2kt

    N, gusts 9

    High 52°F, rain 9%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2-3kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 55°F, rain 42%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    2-3kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 56°F, rain 27%

    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 Sand

Over the next 7 days on Sand Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

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 Sand, 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.

Sand Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Sand Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 55°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 56°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 4 to 5 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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