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lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 1,213 acres, Chouteau County

Big Lake (Chouteau County, Montana) wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-9kt

    E, gusts 15

    High 47°F, rain 1%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    7-23kt

    WSW, gusts 30

    High 49°F, rain 19%

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    4-15kt

    W, gusts 23

    High 51°F, rain 7%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-5kt

    NNE, gusts 9

    High 39°F, rain 13%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    4-5kt

    E, gusts 9

    High 39°F, rain 18%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    1-3kt

    WSW, gusts 6

    High 44°F, rain 17%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    3-5kt

    W, gusts 10

    High 46°F, rain 28%

    Use caution

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 Big

Over the next 7 days on Big Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 30 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 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 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 26: Saturday: WSW wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 44°F. Sunday: W wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 46°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 26, Monday looks best, with E wind around 4 to 9 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.