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WisconsinNatural lake, 1,423 acres, Marathon County

Lake Wausau wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-5kt

    ENE, gusts 11

    High 52°F, rain 36%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    9-12kt

    SE, gusts 20

    High 61°F, rain 16%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-8kt

    SSW, gusts 15

    High 69°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-6kt

    NW, gusts 11

    High 66°F, rain 15%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    2-6kt

    W, gusts 10

    High 62°F, rain 30%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    5-8kt

    SSE, gusts 14

    High 62°F, rain 45%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    3-6kt

    SSW, gusts 11

    High 64°F, rain 35%

    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 Wausau

Over the next 7 days on Lake Wausau, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Wausau, 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 Wausau forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lake Wausau this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 62°F. Sunday: SSW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 64°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 9 to 12 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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