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MinnesotaNatural lake, 111,445 acres, Cass County

Leech Lake wind forecast

Leech Lake, Minnesota
Photo: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown, Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-7kt

    ENE, gusts 12

    High 45°F, rain 23%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    6-14kt

    SE, gusts 19

    High 50°F, rain 88%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    2-8kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 58°F, rain 21%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    0-4kt

    WNW, gusts 8

    High 55°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    2-5kt

    NNE, gusts 11

    High 54°F, rain 15%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    3-7kt

    SSE, gusts 13

    High 56°F, rain 44%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    2-4kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 57°F, rain 28%

    Light wind

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 Leech

Over the next 7 days on Leech Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 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.

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.

Leech Lake is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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.

Leech Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Leech Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 56°F. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 57°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 6 to 14 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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