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lakeglance

North DakotaNatural lake, 4,674 acres, Logan County

McKenna Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    10-13kt

    E, gusts 20

    High 39°F, rain 74%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    7-14kt

    SSE, gusts 22

    High 45°F, rain 3%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    4-10kt

    W, gusts 15

    High 55°F, rain 9%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-10kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 55°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    10-14kt

    E, gusts 23

    High 50°F, rain 24%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    7-9kt

    SSE, gusts 15

    High 53°F, rain 34%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    8-12kt

    ESE, gusts 19

    High 54°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 McKenna

Over the next 7 days on McKenna Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 9 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.

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 McKenna, 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.

McKenna Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for McKenna Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 7 to 9 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 53°F. Sunday: ESE wind 8 to 12 kt, gusts to 19 kt, high near 54°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with SSE wind around 7 to 9 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 McKenna 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 McKenna is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.