IndianaNatural lake, 797 acres, Lake County
Cedar Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
4-9kt
NNE, gusts 12
High 66°F, rain 4%
Good -
TueOct 27
5-9kt
SE, gusts 12
High 71°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-7kt
SSW, gusts 11
High 73°F, rain 2%
Good -
ThuOct 29
4-10kt
SW, gusts 17
High 77°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
2-5kt
NE, gusts 8
High 73°F, rain 18%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
4-6kt
SE, gusts 10
High 71°F, rain 24%
Good -
SunNov 1
3-4kt
SSE, gusts 9
High 69°F, rain 36%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Cedar
Over the next 7 days on Cedar Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Thursday. 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 Cedar, 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.
Cedar Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Cedar Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 71°F. Sunday: SSE wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 69°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Cedar Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 5 to 9 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Cedar 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 Cedar is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Dresden Cooling LakeReservoir, 1,106 ac, Illinois43 mi
- Braidwood Power Plant Cooling PondReservoir, 2,539 ac, Illinois43 mi
- Heidecke LakeNatural lake, 1,913 ac, Illinois46 mi
- Lake ShaferNatural lake, Indiana50 mi
- Lake MaxinkuckeeNatural lake, 1,910 ac, Indiana54 mi
- Lake FreemanReservoir, 1,569 ac, Indiana59 mi