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OhioGreat Lake, 6,361,481 acres

Lake Erie wind forecast

Lake Erie, Ohio
Photo: NPerry (WMF), CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    6-11kt

    NW, gusts 11

    High 62°F, rain 2%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    12-14kt

    ENE, gusts 14

    High 57°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-8kt

    SE, gusts 9

    High 63°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    12-15kt

    SW, gusts 16

    High 65°F, rain 4%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    3-9kt

    NW, gusts 10

    High 63°F, rain 5%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-9kt

    ESE, gusts 9

    High 62°F, rain 7%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    8-11kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 63°F, rain 48%

    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 Erie

Over the next 7 days on Lake Erie, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 8 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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.

Lake Erie 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.

Lake Erie forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Erie this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 62°F. Sunday: SSE wind 8 to 11 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 63°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NW wind around 6 to 11 kt and gusts near 11 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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