MichiganNatural lake, 1,258 acres, Alpena County
Lake Winyah wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
4-8kt
N, gusts 12
High 51°F, rain 9%
Good -
TueOct 27
3-8kt
SE, gusts 14
High 50°F, rain 10%
Good -
WedOct 28
5-7kt
S, gusts 13
High 65°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
5-8kt
WSW, gusts 15
High 65°F, rain 44%
Good -
FriOct 30
2-5kt
WNW, gusts 8
High 59°F, rain 8%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
2-5kt
S, gusts 9
High 58°F, rain 16%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
3-5kt
SW, gusts 10
High 59°F, rain 33%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Winyah
Over the next 7 days on Lake Winyah, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.
Wednesday 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.
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 Winyah, 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 Winyah forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Winyah this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: SW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 59°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Winyah this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with S wind around 5 to 7 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Winyah 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 Winyah is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.