North DakotaNatural lake, 1,162 acres, Kidder County
Sibley Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
9-13kt
E, gusts 20
High 41°F, rain 20%
Good -
TueOct 27
8-15kt
SSE, gusts 22
High 45°F, rain 3%
Use caution -
WedOct 28
5-12kt
W, gusts 19
High 56°F, rain 6%
Good -
ThuOct 29
3-11kt
SW, gusts 17
High 55°F, rain 1%
Good -
FriOct 30
9-15kt
E, gusts 23
High 49°F, rain 27%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
6-9kt
ESE, gusts 15
High 52°F, rain 38%
Good -
SunNov 1
7-13kt
SE, gusts 20
High 54°F, rain 19%
Good
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Sibley
Over the next 7 days on Sibley Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 9 kt.
Monday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Sibley, 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.
Sibley Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Sibley Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: ESE wind 6 to 9 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 52°F. Sunday: SE wind 7 to 13 kt, gusts to 20 kt, high near 54°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Sibley Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with E 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 Sibley 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 Sibley is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.
- Mud LakeNatural lake, 1,440 ac, North Dakota2 mi
- Horsehead LakeNatural lake, 7,412 ac, North Dakota8 mi
- Kunkel LakeNatural lake, 1,444 ac, North Dakota8 mi
- Alkali LakeNatural lake, 2,334 ac, North Dakota14 mi
- Chase LakeNatural lake, 2,713 ac, North Dakota15 mi
- Lake GeorgeNatural lake, 1,948 ac, North Dakota18 mi