Skip to content
lakeglance

IllinoisNatural lake, 1,501 acres, Mason County

Jack Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-2kt

    SE, gusts 5

    High 76°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    1-6kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 75°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    2-7kt

    S, gusts 13

    High 76°F, rain 4%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-7kt

    SW, gusts 14

    High 80°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    1-4kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 79°F, rain 15%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    2-5kt

    SE, gusts 10

    High 74°F, rain 36%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-3kt

    SSW, gusts 9

    High 73°F, rain 27%

    Light wind

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 Jack

Over the next 7 days on Jack Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 14 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Wednesday 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.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Thursday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

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 Jack, 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.

Jack Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Jack Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 74°F. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 73°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with S wind around 2 to 7 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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