Skip to content
lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 3,274 acres, Lake County

Swan Lake wind forecast

Swan Lake, Montana
Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-1kt

    N, gusts 4

    High 53°F, rain 64%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    2-3kt

    SW, gusts 11

    High 44°F, rain 94%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    1-2kt

    SSW, gusts 9

    High 43°F, rain 89%

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-1kt

    NNE, gusts 4

    High 45°F, rain 26%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    0-1kt

    ENE, gusts 3

    High 45°F, rain 29%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 3

    High 46°F, rain 16%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0-1kt

    W, gusts 4

    High 46°F, rain 29%

    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 Swan

Over the next 7 days on Swan Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 11 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 0 kt.

Saturday 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 Swan, 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.

Swan Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Swan Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: wind 0 kt, gusts to 3 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: W wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with wind around 0 to 0 kt and gusts near 3 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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