South DakotaNatural lake, 1,024 acres, Sully County
Stone Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
13-15kt
ENE, gusts 23
High 39°F, rain 99%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
4-15kt
SSE, gusts 23
High 53°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
4-8kt
N, gusts 15
High 57°F, rain 13%
Good -
ThuOct 29
5-11kt
SE, gusts 19
High 58°F, rain 2%
Good -
FriOct 30
12-14kt
E, gusts 22
High 56°F, rain 19%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
9-11kt
SSE, gusts 17
High 58°F, rain 35%
Good -
SunNov 1
9-12kt
ESE, gusts 19
High 58°F, rain 20%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Stone
Over the next 7 days on Stone Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 8 kt.
Sunday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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 Stone, 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.
Stone Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Stone Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 9 to 11 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: ESE wind 9 to 12 kt, gusts to 19 kt, high near 58°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Stone Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with ESE wind around 9 to 12 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Stone 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 Stone is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Green LakeNatural lake, 1,153 ac, South Dakota19 mi
- Swan LakeNatural lake, 2,467 ac, South Dakota29 mi
- Lake OaheReservoir, 309,913 ac, South Dakota44 mi
- Cottonwood LakeNatural lake, 1,433 ac, South Dakota53 mi
- Lake SharpeReservoir, 58,420 ac, South Dakota59 mi
- Lake PocasseReservoir, 1,371 ac, South Dakota76 mi