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lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 126,024 acres, Flathead County, Lake County

Flathead Lake wind forecast

Flathead Lake, Montana
Photo: The original uploader was Cactus.man at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-7kt

    NNW, gusts 9

    High 49°F, rain 85%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    8-16kt

    SSW, gusts 20

    High 46°F, rain 82%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-18kt

    S, gusts 22

    High 44°F, rain 83%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-4kt

    NNE, gusts 6

    High 44°F, rain 25%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    0-6kt

    NNE, gusts 10

    High 43°F, rain 28%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    0-3kt

    N, gusts 6

    High 45°F, rain 14%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0-4kt

    SW, gusts 6

    High 46°F, rain 24%

    Light wind

Hour by hour, next 3 days

Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

This week on Flathead

Over the next 7 days on Flathead Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 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.

Flathead Lake 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.

Flathead Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Flathead Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: N wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 45°F. Sunday: SW wind 0 to 4 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Flathead Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSW wind around 8 to 16 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 Flathead 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 Flathead is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.