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South DakotaReservoir, 58,420 acres, Buffalo County, Hughes County, Hyde County, Lyman County, Stanley County

Lake Sharpe wind forecast

Lake Sharpe, South Dakota
Photo: Harry Weddington, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    10-13kt

    NE, gusts 22

    High 43°F, rain 100%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    3-13kt

    SSE, gusts 22

    High 58°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    3-6kt

    W, gusts 13

    High 61°F, rain 13%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-9kt

    SE, gusts 17

    High 61°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    6-11kt

    ESE, gusts 18

    High 61°F, rain 30%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-8kt

    SSE, gusts 15

    High 62°F, rain 30%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-9kt

    S, gusts 16

    High 61°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 Sharpe

Over the next 7 days on Lake Sharpe, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Friday 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 Sharpe 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 Sharpe forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Sharpe this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 62°F. Sunday: S wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 61°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with ESE wind around 6 to 11 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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