North DakotaNatural lake, 1,462 acres, Pierce County
Girard Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
4-10kt
E, gusts 15
High 41°F, rain 3%
Good -
TueOct 27
7-11kt
SE, gusts 18
High 44°F, rain 9%
Good -
WedOct 28
6-13kt
W, gusts 21
High 54°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
3-8kt
W, gusts 14
High 50°F, rain 1%
Good -
FriOct 30
5-9kt
E, gusts 16
High 45°F, rain 24%
Good -
SatOct 31
5-6kt
S, gusts 13
High 48°F, rain 37%
Good -
SunNov 1
5-9kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 51°F, rain 22%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Girard
Over the next 7 days on Girard Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 21 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.
Tuesday 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.
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 Girard, 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.
Girard Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Girard Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 48°F. Sunday: SSW wind 5 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 51°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Girard Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 7 to 11 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 Girard 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 Girard is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Cranberry LakeNatural lake, 2,305 ac, North Dakota12 mi
- Smoky LakeNatural lake, 1,200 ac, North Dakota13 mi
- Mud LakeNatural lake, 1,681 ac, North Dakota23 mi
- Rush LakeNatural lake, 1,609 ac, North Dakota23 mi
- Horseshoe LakeNatural lake, 1,225 ac, North Dakota27 mi
- Round LakeNatural lake, 2,585 ac, North Dakota29 mi