MinnesotaNatural lake, 2,040 acres, Clearwater County
Lower Rice Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
3-7kt
ENE, gusts 13
High 44°F, rain 1%
Good -
TueOct 27
7-9kt
SE, gusts 16
High 48°F, rain 77%
Good -
WedOct 28
4-7kt
SW, gusts 13
High 57°F, rain 21%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-4kt
W, gusts 11
High 54°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
3-6kt
ENE, gusts 12
High 52°F, rain 15%
Good -
SatOct 31
5-7kt
SSE, gusts 14
High 56°F, rain 39%
Good -
SunNov 1
5-7kt
SW, gusts 14
High 55°F, rain 25%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Lower Rice
Over the next 7 days on Lower Rice Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 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.
On a lake the size of Lower Rice, 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.
Lower Rice Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Lower Rice Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 56°F. Sunday: SW wind 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 55°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Lower Rice Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 7 to 9 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Lower Rice 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 Lower Rice is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Upper Rice LakeNatural lake, 1,338 ac, Minnesota8 mi
- South Twin LakeNatural lake, 1,102 ac, Minnesota12 mi
- Lake ItascaNatural lake, 1,161 ac, Minnesota16 mi
- Elbow LakeNatural lake, 1,309 ac, Minnesota20 mi
- Many Point LakeReservoir, 1,687 ac, Minnesota20 mi
- White Earth LakeNatural lake, 2,101 ac, Minnesota21 mi