WisconsinNatural lake, 1,625 acres, Vilas County
Big Saint Germain Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-5kt
NE, gusts 10
High 48°F, rain 20%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
6-10kt
SE, gusts 19
High 54°F, rain 38%
Good -
WedOct 28
5-8kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 65°F, rain 79%
Good -
ThuOct 29
1-5kt
NW, gusts 11
High 61°F, rain 11%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
1-4kt
WNW, gusts 10
High 58°F, rain 18%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
4-6kt
S, gusts 13
High 58°F, rain 40%
Good -
SunNov 1
2-4kt
SW, gusts 11
High 60°F, rain 33%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Big Saint Germain
Over the next 7 days on Big Saint Germain Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Tuesday 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 Saint Germain, 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 Saint Germain Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Big Saint Germain Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 60°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Big Saint Germain Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 6 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 Big Saint Germain 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 Saint Germain is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Plum LakeNatural lake, 1,057 ac, Wisconsin5 mi
- Rainbow FlowageNatural lake, 3,285 ac, Wisconsin6 mi
- Star LakeNatural lake, 1,220 ac, Wisconsin6 mi
- Big Arbor Vitae LakeNatural lake, 1,071 ac, Wisconsin7 mi
- Lake MinocquaNatural lake, 1,339 ac, Wisconsin10 mi
- Trout LakeNatural lake, 3,867 ac, Wisconsin10 mi