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lakeglance

FloridaNatural lake, 5,165 acres, Alachua County

Santa Fe Lake wind forecast

Santa Fe Lake, Florida
Photo: LittleT889, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    11-14kt

    NE, gusts 23

    High 76°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    11-16kt

    NE, gusts 21

    High 80°F, rain 11%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    14-19kt

    NE, gusts 25

    High 79°F, rain 4%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    15-17kt

    NE, gusts 23

    High 80°F, rain 16%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    12-15kt

    NE, gusts 24

    High 80°F, rain 17%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    9-13kt

    ENE, gusts 20

    High 81°F, rain 25%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    6-10kt

    ENE, gusts 16

    High 81°F, storms possible

    Stay ashore

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 Santa Fe

Over the next 7 days on Santa Fe Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 25 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 10 kt.

Saturday is the pick for sailing. Mornings are usually calmer than afternoons, so check the hourly strip for the exact window.

Thunderstorms are in the forecast for Sunday. Plan to be off the water before the first rumble; lightning can strike miles ahead of a storm.

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 Santa Fe, 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.

Santa Fe Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Santa Fe Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ENE wind 9 to 13 kt, gusts to 20 kt, high near 81°F. Sunday: ENE wind 6 to 10 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 81°F, thunderstorms possible. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Saturday looks best, with ENE wind around 9 to 13 kt and gusts near 20 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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