IowaNatural lake, 914 acres
Black Hawk Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
5-7kt
E, gusts 14
High 63°F, rain 20%
Good -
TueOct 27
3-6kt
SW, gusts 12
High 65°F, rain 6%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-9kt
S, gusts 17
High 74°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
1-2kt
NE, gusts 6
High 72°F, rain 17%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-6kt
SE, gusts 12
High 70°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SatOct 31
3-5kt
SSE, gusts 11
High 68°F, rain 57%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
SSW, gusts 8
High 66°F, rain 19%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Black Hawk
Over the next 7 days on Black Hawk Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 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.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday, Friday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.
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 Black Hawk, 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.
Black Hawk Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Black Hawk Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 68°F, 57% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 66°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Black Hawk Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with E wind around 5 to 7 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 Black Hawk 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 Black Hawk is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.