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lakeglance

North DakotaNatural lake, 4,769 acres, Ramsey County

Chain Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-9kt

    E, gusts 14

    High 39°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    10-11kt

    ESE, gusts 18

    High 43°F, rain 12%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    8-13kt

    WSW, gusts 22

    High 51°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-6kt

    W, gusts 14

    High 48°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    7-8kt

    ENE, gusts 16

    High 43°F, rain 16%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-8kt

    SE, gusts 14

    High 47°F, rain 34%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    8-9kt

    NW, gusts 17

    High 49°F, rain 17%

    Good

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 Chain

Over the next 7 days on Chain Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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 Chain, 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.

Chain Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Chain Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 47°F. Sunday: NW wind 8 to 9 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 49°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Chain Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 10 to 11 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Chain 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 Chain is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.