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lakeglance

MinnesotaNatural lake, 1,191 acres, Otter Tail County

Little McDonald Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-9kt

    ENE, gusts 15

    High 44°F, rain 20%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    8-10kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 49°F, rain 59%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-7kt

    SW, gusts 12

    High 57°F, rain 25%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-5kt

    WNW, gusts 10

    High 55°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    5-8kt

    E, gusts 15

    High 54°F, rain 18%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-9kt

    SE, gusts 16

    High 57°F, rain 45%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-9kt

    SSW, gusts 16

    High 56°F, rain 25%

    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 Little McDonald

Over the next 7 days on Little McDonald Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 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.

On a lake the size of Little McDonald, 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.

Little McDonald Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Little McDonald Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SE wind 5 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 57°F. Sunday: SSW wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 56°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSE wind around 8 to 10 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 Little McDonald 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 Little McDonald is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.