FloridaNatural lake, 2,120 acres, Polk County
Lake Parker wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
13-20kt
NE, gusts 27
High 82°F, rain 12%
Stay ashore -
TueOct 27
11-19kt
NE, gusts 27
High 83°F, rain 13%
Stay ashore -
WedOct 28
14-19kt
NE, gusts 28
High 82°F, rain 12%
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
12-16kt
NE, gusts 23
High 84°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
10-13kt
NE, gusts 20
High 85°F, rain 21%
Good -
SatOct 31
7-11kt
ENE, gusts 18
High 85°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SunNov 1
5-8kt
E, gusts 12
High 85°F, storms possible
Stay ashore
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Parker
Over the next 7 days on Lake Parker, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 28 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 8 kt.
Friday is the pick for sailing. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Thursday, 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.
On a lake the size of Parker, 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 Parker forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Parker this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 7 to 11 kt, gusts to 18 kt, high near 85°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: E wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 85°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Parker this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with NE wind around 10 to 13 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Parker 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 Parker is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.