AlaskaNatural lake, 9,756 acres, Bethel Census Area
Bow Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
16-23kt
SW, gusts 29
High 45°F, rain 27%
Stay ashore -
TueOct 27
24-25kt
SSE, gusts 31
High 43°F, rain 65%
Stay ashore -
WedOct 28
7-39kt
SW, gusts 47
High 43°F, rain 54%
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
24-31kt
SSE, gusts 40
High 42°F, rain 83%
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
20-25kt
S, gusts 35
High 41°F, rain 63%
Stay ashore -
SatOct 31
17-18kt
NW, gusts 24
High 38°F, rain 36%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
10-13kt
SSE, gusts 16
High 38°F, rain 24%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Bow
Over the next 7 days on Bow Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 47 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 13 kt.
Sunday 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 Bow, 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.
Bow Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Bow Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: NW wind 17 to 18 kt, gusts to 24 kt, high near 38°F. Sunday: SSE wind 10 to 13 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 38°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Bow Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Sunday looks best, with SSE wind around 10 to 13 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Bow 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 Bow is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.