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AlaskaNatural lake, 5,818 acres, Aleutians East Borough

Bear Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    5-11kt

    S, gusts 14

    High 51°F, rain 11%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    10-15kt

    SSE, gusts 19

    High 50°F, rain 61%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-14kt

    SSE, gusts 22

    High 51°F, rain 91%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    16-23kt

    SSE, gusts 39

    High 48°F, rain 77%

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    15-16kt

    SSW, gusts 29

    High 44°F, rain 63%

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    12-14kt

    W, gusts 23

    High 40°F, rain 74%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    7-10kt

    WNW, gusts 16

    High 40°F, rain 48%

    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 Bear

Over the next 7 days on Bear Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 39 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 10 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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 Bear, 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.

Bear Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Bear Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: W wind 12 to 14 kt, gusts to 23 kt, high near 40°F, 74% chance of rain. Sunday: WNW wind 7 to 10 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 40°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Monday looks best, with S wind around 5 to 11 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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