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AlaskaNatural lake, 654,518 acres, Lake and Peninsula Borough

Iliamna Lake wind forecast

Iliamna Lake, Alaska
Photo: AlaskaTrekker at English Wikipedia, CC BY 2.5

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    12-25kt

    SW, gusts 33

    High 47°F, rain 62%

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    4-11kt

    E, gusts 11

    High 46°F, rain 2%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    13-18kt

    E, gusts 23

    High 46°F, rain 88%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    11-17kt

    ESE, gusts 23

    High 46°F, rain 90%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    10-12kt

    S, gusts 16

    High 44°F, rain 79%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    10-11kt

    ESE, gusts 16

    High 42°F, rain 49%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    7-10kt

    E, gusts 14

    High 40°F, rain 27%

    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 Iliamna

Over the next 7 days on Iliamna Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 33 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 10 kt.

Sunday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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.

Iliamna 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.

Iliamna Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Iliamna Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: ESE wind 10 to 11 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 42°F. Sunday: E wind 7 to 10 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 40°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Sunday looks best, with E wind around 7 to 10 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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