IdahoNatural lake, 26,892 acres, Kootenai County
Lake Coeur d'Alene wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-4kt
SW, gusts 11
High 52°F, rain 83%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
4-6kt
SW, gusts 15
High 48°F, rain 82%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
3-7kt
S, gusts 14
High 44°F, rain 97%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
1-3kt
NE, gusts 8
High 46°F, rain 28%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
1-2kt
ESE, gusts 8
High 45°F, rain 33%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
1-2kt
NE, gusts 6
High 47°F, rain 15%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
1-2kt
SW, gusts 7
High 48°F, rain 18%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Coeur d'Alene
Over the next 7 days on Lake Coeur d'Alene, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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.
Lake Coeur d'Alene is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.
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.
Lake Coeur d'Alene forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Coeur d'Alene this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NE wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 47°F. Sunday: SW wind 1 to 2 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 48°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Coeur d'Alene this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SW wind around 4 to 6 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Coeur d'Alene 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 Coeur d'Alene is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.