MinnesotaNatural lake, 1,495 acres, Dakota County
Spring Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
5-8kt
ENE, gusts 14
High 49°F, rain 82%
Good -
TueOct 27
5-13kt
S, gusts 21
High 63°F, rain 38%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
3-8kt
S, gusts 15
High 70°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
2-4kt
NNW, gusts 8
High 63°F, rain 3%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
3-5kt
E, gusts 11
High 62°F, rain 33%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
5-7kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 63°F, rain 54%
Good -
SunNov 1
4-5kt
SSW, gusts 13
High 62°F, rain 26%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Spring
Over the next 7 days on Spring Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 21 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Monday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday looks best for kayaks and paddleboards. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.
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 Spring, 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.
Spring Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Spring Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 63°F, 54% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 62°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Spring Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ENE wind around 5 to 8 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Spring 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 Spring is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Long Meadow LakeNatural lake, 1,275 ac, Minnesota14 mi
- North LakeNatural lake, 1,255 ac, Minnesota15 mi
- Lake Saint CroixNatural lake, 7,694 ac, Minnesota16 mi
- Lake ByllesbyReservoir, 1,256 ac, Minnesota17 mi
- Lake NokomisNatural lake, 201 ac, Minnesota18 mi
- Lake HarrietNatural lake, 335 ac, Minnesota21 mi