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AlaskaNatural lake, 1,670 acres, Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Manzanita Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    1-2kt

    N, gusts 7

    High 39°F, rain 11%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    4-7kt

    N, gusts 13

    High 42°F, rain 6%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-11kt

    N, gusts 15

    High 41°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-6kt

    NNE, gusts 8

    High 40°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    0-2kt

    ENE, gusts 4

    High 39°F, rain 10%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    1-3kt

    E, gusts 4

    High 38°F, rain 42%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0-3kt

    ENE, gusts 4

    High 40°F, rain 48%

    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 Manzanita

Over the next 7 days on Manzanita Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 15 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.

Wednesday 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 Manzanita, 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.

Manzanita Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Manzanita Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: E wind 1 to 3 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 38°F. Sunday: ENE wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 40°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Wednesday looks best, with N wind around 5 to 11 kt and gusts near 15 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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