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lakeglance

North DakotaNatural lake, 1,200 acres, McHenry County

Smoky Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    4-9kt

    ESE, gusts 15

    High 43°F, rain 1%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    8-12kt

    SE, gusts 19

    High 44°F, rain 11%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-14kt

    WSW, gusts 22

    High 55°F, rain 1%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-7kt

    W, gusts 13

    High 50°F, rain 1%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    5-8kt

    E, gusts 15

    High 45°F, rain 26%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-6kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 49°F, rain 37%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-8kt

    S, gusts 15

    High 51°F, rain 21%

    Good

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 Smoky

Over the next 7 days on Smoky Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 22 kt. Saturday 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 Smoky, 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.

Smoky Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Smoky Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 49°F. Sunday: S wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 51°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with SE wind around 8 to 12 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 Smoky 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 Smoky is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.