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lakeglance

South DakotaNatural lake, 1,664 acres, Day County

Opitz Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    9-12kt

    ENE, gusts 22

    High 39°F, rain 100%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-10kt

    SSW, gusts 20

    High 48°F, rain 2%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    3-6kt

    WSW, gusts 12

    High 56°F, rain 27%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    2-8kt

    SE, gusts 15

    High 55°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    7-11kt

    E, gusts 20

    High 54°F, rain 28%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    6-8kt

    SSE, gusts 17

    High 56°F, rain 36%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-9kt

    SSW, gusts 17

    High 55°F, rain 24%

    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 Opitz

Over the next 7 days on Opitz Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.

Friday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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 Opitz, 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.

Opitz Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Opitz Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 6 to 8 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 56°F. Sunday: SSW wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 17 kt, high near 55°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with E wind around 7 to 11 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 Opitz 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 Opitz is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.