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South DakotaReservoir, 32,124 acres

Lewis and Clark Lake wind forecast

Lewis and Clark Lake, South Dakota
Photo: Jake DeGroot, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    9-12kt

    ENE, gusts 21

    High 51°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore
  2. TueOct 27

    4-8kt

    SSW, gusts 15

    High 60°F, rain 6%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-8kt

    S, gusts 15

    High 66°F, rain 32%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-5kt

    ESE, gusts 11

    High 65°F, rain 4%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    3-9kt

    ESE, gusts 17

    High 66°F, rain 48%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-9kt

    S, gusts 17

    High 65°F, rain 39%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-7kt

    S, gusts 15

    High 63°F, rain 17%

    Good

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 Lewis and Clark

Over the next 7 days on Lewis and Clark Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 21 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Saturday 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.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Monday. 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.

Lewis and Clark 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.

Lewis and Clark Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Lewis and Clark Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 5 to 9 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 65°F. Sunday: S wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 63°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

When is the best day to sail on Lewis and Clark Lake this week?

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with S wind around 5 to 9 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

Where does the Lewis and Clark 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 Lewis and Clark is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.