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North DakotaReservoir, 4,273 acres, Burke County

Upper Des Lacs Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-11kt

    ESE, gusts 18

    High 43°F, rain 1%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    7-13kt

    ESE, gusts 20

    High 41°F, rain 67%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-16kt

    W, gusts 25

    High 51°F, rain 4%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-9kt

    WNW, gusts 17

    High 46°F, rain 3%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    5-7kt

    E, gusts 14

    High 42°F, rain 28%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    3-5kt

    W, gusts 11

    High 46°F, rain 27%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    5-8kt

    S, gusts 15

    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 Upper Des Lacs

Over the next 7 days on Upper Des Lacs Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and 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 Upper Des Lacs, 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 Des Lacs Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Upper Des Lacs Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: W wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: S wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 49°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Upper Des Lacs Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ESE wind around 4 to 11 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 Upper Des Lacs 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 Des Lacs is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.