MinnesotaNatural lake, 24,068 acres, St. Louis County
Namakan Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
1-3kt
NNE, gusts 8
High 43°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
6-8kt
ESE, gusts 17
High 46°F, rain 92%
Good -
WedOct 28
3-6kt
SW, gusts 16
High 56°F, rain 15%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
1-5kt
W, gusts 14
High 51°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
1-3kt
NW, gusts 10
High 50°F, rain 7%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
2-3kt
SSE, gusts 11
High 53°F, rain 38%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
SW, gusts 11
High 55°F, rain 30%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Namakan
Over the next 7 days on Namakan Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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.
Namakan Lake is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.
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.
Namakan Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Namakan Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 53°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 55°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Namakan Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 6 to 8 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 Namakan 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 Namakan is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.