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WisconsinReservoir, 2,717 acres, Sawyer County

Nelson Lake wind forecast

Nelson Lake, Wisconsin
Photo: Fondycardinals, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-7kt

    NE, gusts 14

    High 48°F, rain 34%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    8-9kt

    SSE, gusts 20

    High 58°F, rain 71%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    4-8kt

    SSW, gusts 18

    High 67°F, rain 84%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-5kt

    NW, gusts 11

    High 62°F, rain 5%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    2-4kt

    N, gusts 10

    High 60°F, rain 20%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    4-7kt

    SSE, gusts 15

    High 60°F, rain 53%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    3-6kt

    SSW, gusts 13

    High 62°F, rain 34%

    Use caution

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 Nelson

Over the next 7 days on Nelson Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Friday 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 Nelson, 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.

Nelson Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Nelson Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 60°F, 53% chance of rain. Sunday: SSW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 62°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SSE wind around 8 to 9 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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