South DakotaNatural lake, 2,461 acres, Clark County
Dry Lake Number One wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
12-15kt
ENE, gusts 25
High 41°F, rain 99%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
4-12kt
SSW, gusts 21
High 50°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
4-8kt
SW, gusts 15
High 59°F, rain 28%
Good -
ThuOct 29
5-9kt
SE, gusts 16
High 59°F, rain 1%
Good -
FriOct 30
10-12kt
E, gusts 20
High 59°F, rain 36%
Good -
SatOct 31
7-10kt
SSE, gusts 19
High 60°F, rain 37%
Good -
SunNov 1
7-10kt
S, gusts 17
High 59°F, rain 22%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Dry Lake Number One
Over the next 7 days on Dry Lake Number One, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 8 kt.
Sunday 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 Dry Lake Number One, 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.
Dry Lake Number One forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Dry Lake Number One this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 7 to 10 kt, gusts to 19 kt, high near 60°F. Sunday: S wind 7 to 10 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 59°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Dry Lake Number One this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with S wind around 7 to 10 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Dry Lake Number One 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 Dry Lake Number One is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Reid LakeNatural lake, 1,046 ac, South Dakota7 mi
- Long LakeNatural lake, 2,489 ac, South Dakota16 mi
- Dry Lake Number TwoNatural lake, 6,442 ac, South Dakota17 mi
- Long LakeNatural lake, 2,062 ac, South Dakota18 mi
- Grass LakeNatural lake, 1,610 ac, South Dakota19 mi
- Goose LakeNatural lake, 1,948 ac, South Dakota22 mi