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AlaskaNatural lake, 24,216 acres, Kenai Peninsula Borough

Skilak Lake wind forecast

Skilak Lake, Alaska
Photo: Frank K. from Anchorage, Alaska, USA, CC BY 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    4-9kt

    SW, gusts 23

    High 47°F, rain 5%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    1-2kt

    N, gusts 2

    High 43°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    1-7kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 49°F, rain 47%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    7-12kt

    ESE, gusts 24

    High 50°F, rain 52%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    7-13kt

    SE, gusts 24

    High 49°F, rain 80%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    4-7kt

    ESE, gusts 13

    High 46°F, rain 39%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    1-3kt

    E, gusts 6

    High 43°F, rain 32%

    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 Skilak

Over the next 7 days on Skilak Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 24 kt. Tuesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Saturday 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.

Skilak Lake is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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.

Skilak Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Skilak Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: ESE wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: E wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 43°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Saturday looks best, with ESE wind around 4 to 7 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 Skilak 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 Skilak is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.