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MinnesotaNatural lake, 45,770 acres, Koochiching County, St. Louis County

Rainy Lake wind forecast

Rainy Lake, Minnesota
Photo: Jeffkantor, CC BY-SA 3.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    2-5kt

    NE, gusts 8

    High 43°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    9-11kt

    ESE, gusts 19

    High 47°F, rain 91%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-10kt

    SW, gusts 17

    High 56°F, rain 12%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-8kt

    W, gusts 15

    High 51°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    3-4kt

    NW, gusts 10

    High 50°F, rain 7%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    3-5kt

    SSE, gusts 11

    High 53°F, rain 38%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    4kt

    WSW, gusts 12

    High 54°F, rain 29%

    Light wind

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 Rainy

Over the next 7 days on Rainy Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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.

Rainy Lake is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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.

Rainy Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Rainy Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 11 kt, high near 53°F. Sunday: WSW wind 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 54°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SW wind around 5 to 10 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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