AlaskaNatural lake, 1,858 acres, Bethel Census Area
Big Lake (Bethel County, Alaska) wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
6-10kt
SSW, gusts 15
High 46°F, rain 31%
Good -
TueOct 27
6-8kt
S, gusts 17
High 44°F, rain 6%
Good -
WedOct 28
6-14kt
SSE, gusts 31
High 45°F, rain 92%
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
3-12kt
SE, gusts 29
High 43°F, rain 91%
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
7-9kt
SSE, gusts 23
High 42°F, rain 71%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
4-5kt
SSE, gusts 15
High 39°F, rain 42%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
S, gusts 10
High 36°F, rain 19%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Big
Over the next 7 days on Big Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 31 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Monday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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 Big, 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.
Big Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Big Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 39°F. Sunday: S wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 36°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Big Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Monday looks best, with SSW wind around 6 to 10 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Big 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 Big is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.