WisconsinNatural lake, 2,730 acres, Winnebago County
Rush Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
7-9kt
NE, gusts 15
High 55°F, rain 9%
Good -
TueOct 27
8-10kt
SE, gusts 16
High 65°F, rain 2%
Good -
WedOct 28
6-9kt
SSW, gusts 16
High 71°F, rain 12%
Good -
ThuOct 29
3-7kt
W, gusts 14
High 69°F, rain 28%
Good -
FriOct 30
3-5kt
W, gusts 9
High 66°F, rain 36%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
5-7kt
SSE, gusts 13
High 65°F, rain 44%
Good -
SunNov 1
3-6kt
SSW, gusts 10
High 65°F, rain 32%
Use caution
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Rush
Over the next 7 days on Rush Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 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 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 5 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 65°F. Sunday: SSW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 65°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 SE wind around 8 to 10 kt and gusts near 16 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.
- Green LakeNatural lake, 7,651 ac, Wisconsin11 mi
- Lake Butte des MortsNatural lake, 8,602 ac, Wisconsin12 mi
- Lake PoyganNatural lake, 14,257 ac, Wisconsin15 mi
- Lake WinneconneNatural lake, 4,530 ac, Wisconsin15 mi
- Lake WinnebagoNatural lake, 137,638 ac, Wisconsin20 mi
- Puckaway LakeNatural lake, 5,016 ac, Wisconsin22 mi