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New YorkNatural lake, 8,777 acres

Skaneateles Lake wind forecast

Skaneateles Lake, New York
Photo: Nonenmac at English Wikipedia, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-9kt

    WNW, gusts 17

    High 63°F, rain 4%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    3-5kt

    N, gusts 8

    High 51°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    3-6kt

    SSE, gusts 11

    High 62°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-7kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 67°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    2-6kt

    WNW, gusts 12

    High 63°F, rain 8%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    1-3kt

    WSW, gusts 7

    High 61°F, rain 4%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    5-7kt

    S, gusts 14

    High 62°F, rain 34%

    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 Skaneateles

Over the next 7 days on Skaneateles Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Monday 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 Skaneateles, 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.

Skaneateles Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Skaneateles Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WSW wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 61°F. Sunday: S wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 62°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with WNW wind around 4 to 9 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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