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lakeglance

North DakotaNatural lake, 7,412 acres, Kidder County

Horsehead Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    10-13kt

    E, gusts 19

    High 41°F, rain 16%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    10-15kt

    SE, gusts 23

    High 45°F, rain 4%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    6-12kt

    W, gusts 19

    High 56°F, rain 4%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-11kt

    WSW, gusts 16

    High 55°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    9-15kt

    E, gusts 22

    High 48°F, rain 27%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    6-9kt

    ESE, gusts 15

    High 52°F, rain 37%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    8-13kt

    SSE, gusts 20

    High 53°F, rain 20%

    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 Horsehead

Over the next 7 days on Horsehead Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 9 kt.

Monday 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 Horsehead, 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.

Horsehead Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Horsehead Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 52°F. Sunday: SSE wind 8 to 13 kt, gusts to 20 kt, high near 53°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with E wind around 10 to 13 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 Horsehead 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 Horsehead is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.