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lakeglance

FloridaNatural lake, 2,544 acres, Pinellas County

Lake Tarpon wind forecast

Lake Tarpon, Florida
Photo: Djmaschek, CC BY 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    10-15kt

    NE, gusts 23

    High 82°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    8-14kt

    NE, gusts 23

    High 83°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    9-16kt

    NE, gusts 25

    High 83°F, rain 4%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    9-12kt

    NE, gusts 20

    High 84°F, rain 13%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    7-9kt

    NE, gusts 16

    High 84°F, rain 14%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-7kt

    ENE, gusts 12

    High 85°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  7. SunNov 1

    4-6kt

    ENE, gusts 10

    High 83°F, rain 14%

    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 Tarpon

Over the next 7 days on Lake Tarpon, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Friday 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.

On a lake the size of Tarpon, 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 Tarpon forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Tarpon this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 85°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: ENE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 83°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with NE wind around 7 to 9 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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