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MinnesotaNatural lake, 25,600 acres, Goodhue County, Wabasha County

Lake Pepin wind forecast

Lake Pepin, Minnesota
Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-7kt

    ENE, gusts 15

    High 51°F, rain 66%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    5-11kt

    SSE, gusts 21

    High 65°F, rain 22%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    5-6kt

    S, gusts 15

    High 70°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-4kt

    NNW, gusts 9

    High 65°F, rain 4%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    3-4kt

    E, gusts 10

    High 64°F, rain 35%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    4-6kt

    SSE, gusts 14

    High 64°F, rain 56%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    3-4kt

    SSW, gusts 11

    High 64°F, rain 29%

    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 Pepin

Over the next 7 days on Lake Pepin, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 21 kt. Thursday 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. 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 Pepin 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 Pepin forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Pepin this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 64°F, 56% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 64°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ENE wind around 5 to 7 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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