AlaskaNatural lake, 1,038 acres, Lake and Peninsula Borough
Upper Copper Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
8-17kt
W, gusts 25
High 47°F, rain 68%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
2-6kt
ESE, gusts 7
High 47°F, rain 2%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
7-11kt
E, gusts 16
High 45°F, rain 88%
Good -
ThuOct 29
7-13kt
E, gusts 30
High 45°F, rain 98%
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
3kt
SE, gusts 13
High 44°F, rain 92%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
3-5kt
E, gusts 12
High 40°F, rain 59%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
3-4kt
ENE, gusts 12
High 38°F, rain 40%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Upper Copper
Over the next 7 days on Upper Copper Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 30 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 Upper Copper, 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.
Upper Copper Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Upper Copper Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: E wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 40°F, 59% chance of rain. Sunday: ENE wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 38°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Upper Copper Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Wednesday looks best, with E wind around 7 to 11 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 Upper Copper 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 Upper Copper is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Meadow LakeNatural lake, 1,357 ac, Alaska4 mi
- Kokhanok LakeNatural lake, 6,568 ac, Alaska10 mi
- Gibraltar LakeNatural lake, 3,138 ac, Alaska26 mi
- Lower Tazimina LakeNatural lake, 3,089 ac, Alaska30 mi
- Upper Tazimina LakeNatural lake, 3,958 ac, Alaska31 mi
- Kontrashibuna LakeNatural lake, 5,090 ac, Alaska40 mi