MinnesotaNatural lake, 34,101 acres, St. Louis County
Lac La Croix wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-3kt
NNE, gusts 7
High 43°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
6-7kt
ESE, gusts 16
High 45°F, rain 94%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-6kt
SW, gusts 15
High 57°F, rain 29%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
1-5kt
W, gusts 13
High 51°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
2-3kt
WNW, gusts 9
High 50°F, rain 7%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-3kt
SSE, gusts 11
High 53°F, rain 39%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
SW, gusts 10
High 54°F, rain 30%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Lac La Croix
Over the next 7 days on Lac La Croix, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Monday 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.
Lac La Croix 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.
Lac La Croix forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lac La Croix this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 53°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 54°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lac La Croix this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 6 to 7 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 Lac La Croix 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 Lac La Croix is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.