WisconsinReservoir, 9,390 acres, Columbia County, Sauk County
Lake Wisconsin wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
5-10kt
ENE, gusts 14
High 58°F, rain 3%
Good -
TueOct 27
6-9kt
SSE, gusts 15
High 67°F, rain 3%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-9kt
S, gusts 15
High 72°F, rain 13%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-6kt
W, gusts 12
High 70°F, rain 23%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
1-5kt
SSE, gusts 9
High 67°F, rain 48%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
4-6kt
SE, gusts 12
High 66°F, rain 53%
Good -
SunNov 1
3-4kt
SSW, gusts 9
High 67°F, rain 32%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Wisconsin
Over the next 7 days on Lake Wisconsin, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Monday 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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lake Wisconsin this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 66°F, 53% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 67°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lake Wisconsin this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with ENE wind around 5 to 10 kt and gusts near 14 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lake Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.