AlaskaNatural lake, 4,176 acres, Northwest Arctic Borough
Norutak Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
5-6kt
S, gusts 17
High 37°F, rain 100%
Use caution -
TueOct 27
3-5kt
SSE, gusts 8
High 37°F, rain 92%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
5-8kt
E, gusts 16
High 34°F, rain 96%
Good -
ThuOct 29
4-7kt
ESE, gusts 15
High 33°F, rain 66%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
4-6kt
E, gusts 19
High 34°F, rain 95%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3kt
ESE, gusts 7
High 32°F, rain 66%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2kt
SE, gusts 6
High 25°F, rain 41%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Norutak
Over the next 7 days on Norutak Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 2 kt.
Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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 Norutak, 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.
Norutak Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Norutak Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: ESE wind 3 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 32°F, 66% chance of rain. Sunday: SE wind 2 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 25°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Norutak Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Wednesday looks best, with E wind around 5 to 8 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 Norutak 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 Norutak is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.