MinnesotaNatural lake, 1,100 acres, Itasca County
Prairie Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-4kt
NE, gusts 10
High 45°F, rain 13%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
6-9kt
SE, gusts 18
High 49°F, rain 85%
Good -
WedOct 28
2-6kt
SSW, gusts 13
High 59°F, rain 32%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
0-4kt
WNW, gusts 11
High 55°F, rain 1%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
2-3kt
N, gusts 10
High 53°F, rain 10%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
3-6kt
SSE, gusts 13
High 55°F, rain 41%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-5kt
SSW, gusts 13
High 56°F, rain 29%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Prairie
Over the next 7 days on Prairie Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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 Prairie, 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.
Prairie Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Prairie Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 55°F. Sunday: SSW wind 2 to 5 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 56°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Prairie Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 6 to 9 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Prairie 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 Prairie is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.