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lakeglance

FloridaNatural lake, 467,029 acres

Lake Okeechobee wind forecast

Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Photo: Dough4872, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    20-26kt

    NE, gusts 32

    High 79°F, rain 21%

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    20-26kt

    NE, gusts 33

    High 79°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  3. WedOct 28

    18-21kt

    NE, gusts 30

    High 80°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    10-16kt

    NE, gusts 22

    High 82°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  5. FriOct 30

    10-14kt

    NE, gusts 21

    High 82°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  6. SatOct 31

    9-12kt

    ENE, gusts 18

    High 82°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  7. SunNov 1

    4-10kt

    ENE, gusts 15

    High 83°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore

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 Okeechobee

Over the next 7 days on Lake Okeechobee, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 33 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 10 kt.

None of the next few days looks comfortable for sailing or paddling, so check the hourly strip for a short calm window before you go.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. 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.

Lake Okeechobee 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 Okeechobee forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Okeechobee this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 9 to 12 kt, gusts to 18 kt, high near 82°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: ENE wind 4 to 10 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 83°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NE wind around 20 to 26 kt and gusts near 32 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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