IllinoisNatural lake, 2,776 acres, Mason County
Cross Slough wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
0-2kt
SE, gusts 6
High 77°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
2-6kt
S, gusts 12
High 75°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
2-7kt
S, gusts 13
High 77°F, rain 4%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-7kt
SW, gusts 14
High 81°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
2-5kt
ESE, gusts 10
High 79°F, rain 16%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
2-5kt
SE, gusts 10
High 74°F, rain 36%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
SW, gusts 9
High 73°F, rain 27%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Cross Slough
Over the next 7 days on Cross Slough, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 14 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.
Wednesday 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.
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 Cross Slough, 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.
Cross Slough forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Cross Slough this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 73°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Cross Slough this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with S wind around 2 to 7 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Cross Slough 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 Cross Slough is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.