North DakotaNatural lake, 1,609 acres, Pierce County
Rush Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
4-8kt
E, gusts 15
High 43°F, rain 0%
Good -
TueOct 27
7-11kt
ESE, gusts 19
High 44°F, rain 16%
Good -
WedOct 28
6-13kt
WSW, gusts 23
High 54°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
3-6kt
W, gusts 13
High 49°F, rain 1%
Good -
FriOct 30
4-7kt
E, gusts 13
High 45°F, rain 24%
Good -
SatOct 31
4-6kt
SSE, gusts 12
High 48°F, rain 34%
Good -
SunNov 1
5-8kt
SW, gusts 16
High 51°F, rain 19%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Rush
Over the next 7 days on Rush Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 6 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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 Rush, 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.
Rush Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Rush Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 48°F. Sunday: SW wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 51°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Rush Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 7 to 11 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 Rush 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 Rush is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Horseshoe LakeNatural lake, 1,225 ac, North Dakota4 mi
- Round LakeNatural lake, 2,585 ac, North Dakota7 mi
- Smoky LakeNatural lake, 1,200 ac, North Dakota15 mi
- Girard LakeNatural lake, 1,462 ac, North Dakota23 mi
- Buffalo Lodge LakeNatural lake, 1,212 ac, North Dakota25 mi
- Cranberry LakeNatural lake, 2,305 ac, North Dakota26 mi