North DakotaNatural lake, 1,952 acres, Rolette County
Long Lake (Rolette County, North Dakota) wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-9kt
E, gusts 14
High 42°F, rain 0%
Good -
TueOct 27
7-11kt
ESE, gusts 17
High 42°F, rain 25%
Good -
WedOct 28
6-14kt
WSW, gusts 23
High 51°F, rain 1%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
3-8kt
W, gusts 13
High 48°F, rain 2%
Good -
FriOct 30
5-7kt
E, gusts 14
High 43°F, rain 20%
Good -
SatOct 31
4-6kt
SSE, gusts 12
High 47°F, rain 35%
Good -
SunNov 1
5-10kt
W, gusts 16
High 49°F, rain 17%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Long
Over the next 7 days on Long Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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 Long, 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.
Long Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Long Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 47°F. Sunday: W wind 5 to 10 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 49°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Long Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 7 to 11 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 Long 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 Long is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Island LakeNatural lake, 1,887 ac, North Dakota4 mi
- Grass LakeNatural lake, 1,659 ac, North Dakota8 mi
- Hurricane LakeNatural lake, 2,231 ac, North Dakota17 mi
- Round LakeNatural lake, 2,585 ac, North Dakota25 mi
- Willow LakeNatural lake, 1,021 ac, North Dakota28 mi
- Horseshoe LakeNatural lake, 1,225 ac, North Dakota29 mi