7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-7kt
NE, gusts 11
High 64°F, rain 4%
Good -
TueOct 27
6-8kt
ESE, gusts 15
High 65°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
4-7kt
SSW, gusts 12
High 67°F, rain 2%
Good -
ThuOct 29
5-10kt
SW, gusts 19
High 66°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
2-4kt
N, gusts 8
High 65°F, rain 19%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
5-6kt
SE, gusts 11
High 65°F, rain 21%
Good -
SunNov 1
4-6kt
S, gusts 10
High 64°F, rain 37%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Macatawa
Over the next 7 days on Lake Macatawa, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Macatawa, 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.
Lake Macatawa forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Macatawa this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 65°F. Sunday: S wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 64°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Macatawa this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 6 to 8 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Macatawa 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 Macatawa is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.