New HampshireNatural lake, 532 acres, Rockingham County
Island Pond wind forecast

7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-4kt
WNW, gusts 8
High 68°F, rain 3%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
2-4kt
NNW, gusts 8
High 54°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
WedOct 28
1-2kt
WSW, gusts 4
High 55°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
ThuOct 29
3-6kt
SW, gusts 12
High 65°F, rain 0%
Good -
FriOct 30
2-6kt
W, gusts 12
High 70°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
1-3kt
NW, gusts 6
High 62°F, rain 2%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-4kt
SW, gusts 8
High 62°F, rain 10%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Island
Over the next 7 days on Island Pond, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.
Thursday 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 Pond forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Island Pond this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: NW wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 62°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 62°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Island Pond this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SW wind around 3 to 6 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Island Pond 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.
- Lake MassabesicNatural lake, 2,561 ac, New Hampshire12 mi
- Pawtuckaway LakeReservoir, 806 ac, New Hampshire16 mi
- Mendums PondReservoir, 265 ac, New Hampshire22 mi
- Northwood LakeNatural lake, 653 ac, New Hampshire24 mi
- Lake QuannapowittNatural lake, 246 ac, Massachusetts25 mi
- Bow LakeNatural lake, 1,140 ac, New Hampshire26 mi