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MinnesotaNatural lake, 1,074,908 acres, Lake of the Woods County, Roseau County

Lake of the Woods wind forecast

Lake of the Woods, Minnesota
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-6kt

    NE, gusts 9

    High 40°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    12-14kt

    ESE, gusts 19

    High 46°F, rain 54%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    9-15kt

    SW, gusts 18

    High 52°F, rain 6%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-7kt

    W, gusts 12

    High 49°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    5kt

    NNW, gusts 9

    High 45°F, rain 8%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-7kt

    SE, gusts 11

    High 49°F, rain 37%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-7kt

    WNW, gusts 11

    High 51°F, rain 23%

    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 of the Woods

Over the next 7 days on Lake of the Woods, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Wednesday 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.

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 of the Woods 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 of the Woods forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake of the Woods this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 49°F. Sunday: WNW wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 51°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SW wind around 9 to 15 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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