FloridaNatural lake, 1,630 acres, Collier County
Lake Trafford wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
12-18kt
NE, gusts 33
High 83°F, rain 7%
Stay ashore -
TueOct 27
11-18kt
NE, gusts 32
High 84°F, rain 25%
Stay ashore -
WedOct 28
11-14kt
NE, gusts 28
High 84°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
ThuOct 29
7-8kt
NE, gusts 16
High 86°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
FriOct 30
5-7kt
NE, gusts 16
High 87°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SatOct 31
4-5kt
ENE, gusts 12
High 88°F, storms possible
Stay ashore -
SunNov 1
3-5kt
ENE, gusts 10
High 87°F, storms possible
Stay ashore
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Trafford
Over the next 7 days on Lake Trafford, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 33 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.
None of the next few days looks comfortable for sailing or paddling, so check the hourly strip for a short calm window before you go.
Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 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 Trafford, 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 Trafford forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Trafford this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 88°F, thunderstorms possible. Sunday: ENE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 87°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Trafford this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NE wind around 12 to 18 kt and gusts near 33 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Trafford 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 Trafford is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Lake OkeechobeeNatural lake, 467,029 ac, Florida55 mi
- Lake PlacidNatural lake, 3,393 ac, Florida56 mi
- Lake June in WinterNatural lake, 3,729 ac, Florida61 mi
- Lake IstokpogaNatural lake, 27,923 ac, Florida66 mi
- Lake JosephineNatural lake, 1,274 ac, Florida67 mi
- Lake JacksonNatural lake, 3,361 ac, Florida73 mi