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lakeglance

MinnesotaNatural lake, 2,936 acres, Itasca County

Island Lake (Itasca County, Minnesota) wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    1-4kt

    ENE, gusts 10

    High 44°F, rain 8%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    5-6kt

    ESE, gusts 16

    High 48°F, rain 91%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    2-5kt

    SW, gusts 14

    High 57°F, rain 24%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-4kt

    W, gusts 11

    High 53°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-3kt

    N, gusts 10

    High 52°F, rain 8%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2-4kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 55°F, rain 39%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    2-5kt

    SW, gusts 13

    High 56°F, rain 26%

    Use caution

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 Island

Over the next 7 days on Island Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 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 Island, 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.

Island Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Island Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 55°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 56°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 5 to 6 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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