WisconsinNatural lake, 1,100 acres, Bayfield County
Upper Eau Claire Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-6kt
NE, gusts 14
High 47°F, rain 26%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
6-7kt
SE, gusts 17
High 56°F, rain 75%
Good -
WedOct 28
4-8kt
SSW, gusts 18
High 66°F, rain 81%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
1-4kt
WNW, gusts 11
High 60°F, rain 5%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
NNW, gusts 11
High 58°F, rain 19%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
3-6kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 59°F, rain 52%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-5kt
SSW, gusts 12
High 60°F, rain 33%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Upper Eau Claire
Over the next 7 days on Upper Eau Claire Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 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 Upper Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Upper Eau Claire Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 59°F, 52% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 60°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Upper Eau Claire Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 6 to 7 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Upper Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.