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MinnesotaNatural lake, 2,418 acres, Meeker County

Lake Washington (Meeker County, Minnesota) wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-7kt

    ENE, gusts 16

    High 46°F, rain 91%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-9kt

    SSW, gusts 18

    High 56°F, rain 49%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-6kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 65°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-3kt

    N, gusts 8

    High 60°F, rain 1%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    3-5kt

    ENE, gusts 13

    High 60°F, rain 30%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    3-6kt

    SSE, gusts 14

    High 61°F, rain 50%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    3-5kt

    SW, gusts 13

    High 60°F, rain 23%

    Use caution

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 Washington

Over the next 7 days on Lake Washington, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Tuesday 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.

On a lake the size of Washington, 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 Washington forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Washington this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 61°F, 50% chance of rain. Sunday: SW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 60°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSW wind around 4 to 9 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 Washington 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 Washington is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.