North DakotaNatural lake, 1,250 acres, Mountrail County
Cottonwood Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
6-13kt
SE, gusts 20
High 43°F, rain 2%
Good -
TueOct 27
8-14kt
SE, gusts 23
High 41°F, rain 74%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
6-16kt
W, gusts 25
High 51°F, rain 4%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
3-10kt
WNW, gusts 17
High 47°F, rain 3%
Good -
FriOct 30
7-10kt
E, gusts 18
High 42°F, rain 35%
Good -
SatOct 31
4-6kt
W, gusts 13
High 46°F, rain 28%
Good -
SunNov 1
5-9kt
SE, gusts 17
High 49°F, rain 20%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Cottonwood
Over the next 7 days on Cottonwood Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 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.
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 Cottonwood, 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.
Cottonwood Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Cottonwood Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: W wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: SE wind 5 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 Cottonwood Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with SE wind around 6 to 13 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.