AlaskaNatural lake, 1,622 acres, Ketchikan Gateway Borough
Punchbowl Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
1-3kt
NNE, gusts 8
High 34°F, rain 11%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
6-11kt
NNE, gusts 16
High 38°F, rain 15%
Good -
WedOct 28
7-15kt
NNE, gusts 19
High 36°F, rain 0%
Good -
ThuOct 29
2-9kt
NE, gusts 11
High 35°F, rain 0%
Good -
FriOct 30
1-5kt
E, gusts 6
High 35°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
2-6kt
E, gusts 7
High 34°F, rain 42%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
1-6kt
E, gusts 7
High 35°F, rain 48%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Punchbowl
Over the next 7 days on Punchbowl Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Wednesday 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 Punchbowl, 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.
Punchbowl Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Punchbowl Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: E wind 2 to 6 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 34°F. Sunday: E wind 1 to 6 kt, gusts to 7 kt, high near 35°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Punchbowl Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Wednesday looks best, with NNE wind around 7 to 15 kt and gusts near 19 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Punchbowl 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 Punchbowl is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.