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IowaReservoir, 866 acres

Lake Macbride wind forecast

Lake Macbride, Iowa
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    6-7kt

    E, gusts 12

    High 68°F, rain 3%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    5-7kt

    SSE, gusts 13

    High 72°F, rain 3%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-8kt

    S, gusts 15

    High 73°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-5kt

    W, gusts 9

    High 74°F, rain 22%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    3-6kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 72°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    4-6kt

    SE, gusts 10

    High 70°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  7. SunNov 1

    4kt

    S, gusts 7

    High 69°F, rain 24%

    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 Macbride

Over the next 7 days on Lake Macbride, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Monday 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.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday, Friday, Saturday. 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 Macbride, 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 Macbride forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Macbride this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 70°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: S wind 4 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 69°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with E wind around 6 to 7 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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