WisconsinNatural lake, 3,485 acres, Vilas County
Fence Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-5kt
NE, gusts 11
High 48°F, rain 24%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
9-11kt
SE, gusts 19
High 55°F, rain 42%
Good -
WedOct 28
6-9kt
SSW, gusts 17
High 65°F, rain 83%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-5kt
NW, gusts 12
High 61°F, rain 11%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
NW, gusts 10
High 58°F, rain 19%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
4-6kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 58°F, rain 41%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-5kt
SW, gusts 11
High 60°F, rain 34%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Fence
Over the next 7 days on Fence Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Tuesday 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 Fence, 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.
Fence Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Fence Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 60°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Fence Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 9 to 11 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Fence 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 Fence is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Crawling Stone LakeNatural lake, 1,485 ac, Wisconsin2 mi
- Pokegama LakeNatural lake, 1,042 ac, Wisconsin4 mi
- White Sand LakeNatural lake, 1,182 ac, Wisconsin4 mi
- Flambeau LakeNatural lake, 1,167 ac, Wisconsin4 mi
- Squirrel LakeReservoir, 1,325 ac, Wisconsin6 mi
- Ike Walton LakeNatural lake, 1,418 ac, Wisconsin6 mi