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MontanaReservoir, 233,440 acres

Fort Peck Lake wind forecast

Fort Peck Lake, Montana
Photo: USACE photographer, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    17-18kt

    ESE, gusts 28

    High 50°F, rain 3%

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    5-10kt

    SSW, gusts 18

    High 48°F, rain 90%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-9kt

    W, gusts 16

    High 55°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-7kt

    NNW, gusts 12

    High 47°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    8-10kt

    E, gusts 18

    High 45°F, rain 21%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    2-4kt

    NW, gusts 9

    High 50°F, rain 14%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    3-7kt

    ESE, gusts 14

    High 52°F, rain 26%

    Good

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 Fort Peck

Over the next 7 days on Fort Peck Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 28 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Friday 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.

Fort Peck 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.

Fort Peck Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Fort Peck Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 50°F. Sunday: ESE wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 52°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with E wind around 8 to 10 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Fort Peck 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 Fort Peck is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.