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lakeglance

North DakotaNatural lake, 1,597 acres, Ramsey County

Sweetwater Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    6-10kt

    E, gusts 15

    High 39°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    10-11kt

    ESE, gusts 19

    High 43°F, rain 11%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    8-14kt

    WSW, gusts 23

    High 52°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-8kt

    W, gusts 14

    High 49°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    8-10kt

    ENE, gusts 17

    High 43°F, rain 16%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-8kt

    SE, gusts 15

    High 48°F, rain 34%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    8-11kt

    NW, gusts 18

    High 49°F, rain 18%

    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 Sweetwater

Over the next 7 days on Sweetwater Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 8 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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 Sweetwater, 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.

Sweetwater Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Sweetwater Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 48°F. Sunday: NW wind 8 to 11 kt, gusts to 18 kt, high near 49°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with E wind around 6 to 10 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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