South DakotaNatural lake, 4,465 acres, Kingsbury County
Lake Whitewood wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
14-16kt
ENE, gusts 25
High 44°F, rain 99%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
5-12kt
SSW, gusts 19
High 54°F, rain 1%
Good -
WedOct 28
4-9kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 61°F, rain 55%
Good -
ThuOct 29
3-8kt
ESE, gusts 14
High 62°F, rain 0%
Good -
FriOct 30
8-11kt
ESE, gusts 19
High 62°F, rain 39%
Good -
SatOct 31
7-10kt
SSE, gusts 18
High 63°F, rain 40%
Good -
SunNov 1
7-9kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 61°F, rain 22%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Whitewood
Over the next 7 days on Lake Whitewood, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 8 kt.
Sunday 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.
On a lake the size of Whitewood, 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 Whitewood forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Whitewood this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 7 to 10 kt, gusts to 18 kt, high near 63°F. Sunday: SSW wind 7 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 Whitewood this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Sunday looks best, with SSW 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 Whitewood 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 Whitewood is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Lake ThompsonNatural lake, 13,888 ac, South Dakota6 mi
- Lake HenryNatural lake, 2,227 ac, South Dakota7 mi
- Lake SinaiNatural lake, 1,790 ac, South Dakota14 mi
- Spirit LakeNatural lake, 1,066 ac, South Dakota18 mi
- Lake AlbertNatural lake, 3,655 ac, South Dakota18 mi
- Lake Saint JohnNatural lake, 1,271 ac, South Dakota19 mi