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New HampshireNatural lake, 45,714 acres

Lake Winnipesaukee wind forecast

Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. JohnJHenderson~commonswiki assumed (based on copyright claims)., Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-9kt

    WNW, gusts 17

    High 64°F, rain 5%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    3-6kt

    WNW, gusts 12

    High 49°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    1-2kt

    SW, gusts 4

    High 52°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-7kt

    SW, gusts 14

    High 62°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    5-10kt

    W, gusts 19

    High 65°F, rain 2%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    1-4kt

    WNW, gusts 8

    High 58°F, rain 4%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    1-3kt

    SW, gusts 6

    High 58°F, rain 11%

    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 Winnipesaukee

Over the next 7 days on Lake Winnipesaukee, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Friday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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.

Lake Winnipesaukee is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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.

Lake Winnipesaukee forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Winnipesaukee this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: SW wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 58°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with W wind around 5 to 10 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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