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South DakotaReservoir, 82,167 acres

Lake Francis Case wind forecast

Lake Francis Case, South Dakota
Photo: Harry Weddington, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    9-12kt

    ENE, gusts 20

    High 46°F, rain 100%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    4-11kt

    S, gusts 19

    High 59°F, rain 1%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-6kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 64°F, rain 18%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-6kt

    SE, gusts 11

    High 64°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    4-8kt

    ESE, gusts 15

    High 65°F, rain 39%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-8kt

    S, gusts 16

    High 64°F, rain 32%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-7kt

    S, gusts 14

    High 63°F, rain 24%

    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 Francis Case

Over the next 7 days on Lake Francis Case, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Francis Case 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 Francis Case forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Francis Case this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 64°F. Sunday: S wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 63°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with S wind around 4 to 11 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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