Skip to content
lakeglance

MinnesotaReservoir, 2,298 acres, St. Louis County

Wild Rice Lake Reservoir wind forecast

Wild Rice Lake Reservoir, Minnesota
Photo: Sharon Mollerus, CC BY 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-7kt

    ENE, gusts 12

    High 43°F, rain 10%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    6-14kt

    E, gusts 23

    High 45°F, rain 86%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    4-7kt

    SW, gusts 15

    High 59°F, rain 64%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-6kt

    WNW, gusts 11

    High 55°F, rain 2%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    4-5kt

    N, gusts 10

    High 50°F, rain 13%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-7kt

    SE, gusts 14

    High 51°F, rain 49%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    4-6kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 54°F, rain 32%

    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 Wild Rice Lake

Over the next 7 days on Wild Rice Lake Reservoir, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Monday 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 Wild Rice Lake, 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.

Wild Rice Lake Reservoir forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Wild Rice Lake Reservoir this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 51°F. Sunday: SW wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 54°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Wild Rice Lake Reservoir this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ENE wind around 5 to 7 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Wild Rice Lake Reservoir 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 Wild Rice Lake is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.