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lakeglance

MinnesotaReservoir, 1,251 acres, Cass County

Thunder Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-4kt

    ENE, gusts 11

    High 45°F, rain 26%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    5-9kt

    SE, gusts 18

    High 50°F, rain 86%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    1-5kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 59°F, rain 36%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-3kt

    WNW, gusts 9

    High 56°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    2-3kt

    NNE, gusts 10

    High 54°F, rain 16%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2-5kt

    SSE, gusts 13

    High 56°F, rain 43%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 57°F, rain 28%

    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 Thunder

Over the next 7 days on Thunder Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Tuesday 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 Thunder, 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.

Thunder Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Thunder Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 56°F. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 5 to 9 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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