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lakeglance

LouisianaNatural lake, 454,427 acres

Lake Pontchartrain wind forecast

Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana
Photo: Mersh13, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    7-12kt

    E, gusts 15

    High 75°F, rain 0%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    6-10kt

    E, gusts 12

    High 76°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-9kt

    E, gusts 13

    High 78°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-11kt

    ENE, gusts 13

    High 77°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    9-12kt

    E, gusts 17

    High 77°F, rain 3%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    9-12kt

    E, gusts 17

    High 79°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  7. SunNov 1

    5-6kt

    SSE, gusts 9

    High 81°F, rain 27%

    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 Pontchartrain

Over the next 7 days on Lake Pontchartrain, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Monday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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 Saturday. 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 Pontchartrain 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 Pontchartrain forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Pontchartrain this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: E wind 9 to 12 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 79°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: SSE wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 81°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with E wind around 7 to 12 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 Pontchartrain 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 Pontchartrain is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.