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WisconsinReservoir, 10,520 acres, La Crosse County

Lake Onalaska wind forecast

Lake Onalaska, Wisconsin
Photo: Moonshyne7, CC BY 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-7kt

    ENE, gusts 13

    High 55°F, rain 19%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    6-9kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 68°F, rain 6%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-8kt

    S, gusts 16

    High 72°F, rain 78%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-4kt

    NW, gusts 9

    High 69°F, rain 11%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    1-4kt

    ESE, gusts 9

    High 66°F, rain 45%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    4-5kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 66°F, rain 56%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    SW, gusts 9

    High 66°F, rain 30%

    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 Onalaska

Over the next 7 days on Lake Onalaska, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 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 Onalaska 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 Onalaska forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Onalaska this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 66°F, 56% chance of rain. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 66°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSE wind around 6 to 9 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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