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lakeglance

South DakotaNatural lake, 2,467 acres, Walworth County

Swan Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    11-13kt

    ENE, gusts 22

    High 37°F, rain 97%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-14kt

    SSE, gusts 22

    High 50°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    3-9kt

    NNW, gusts 14

    High 55°F, rain 18%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-12kt

    SE, gusts 18

    High 56°F, rain 2%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    10-14kt

    E, gusts 23

    High 53°F, rain 16%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    8-10kt

    SSE, gusts 16

    High 56°F, rain 35%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    7-12kt

    ESE, gusts 19

    High 56°F, rain 22%

    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 Swan

Over the next 7 days on Swan Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 9 kt.

Saturday 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.

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: SSE wind 8 to 10 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 56°F. Sunday: ESE wind 7 to 12 kt, gusts to 19 kt, high near 56°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 SSE wind around 8 to 10 kt and gusts near 16 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.