MinnesotaNatural lake, 4,606 acres, Lake County
Snowbank Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
TodayOct 26
2-4kt
NNE, gusts 8
High 43°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
8-9kt
ESE, gusts 19
High 44°F, rain 87%
Good -
WedOct 28
5-7kt
SW, gusts 16
High 59°F, rain 47%
Good -
ThuOct 29
3-7kt
WNW, gusts 15
High 52°F, rain 0%
Good -
FriOct 30
3-4kt
WNW, gusts 10
High 51°F, rain 8%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
4-5kt
SSE, gusts 13
High 53°F, rain 36%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
3-4kt
WSW, gusts 12
High 55°F, rain 32%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Snowbank
Over the next 7 days on Snowbank Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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 Snowbank, 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.
Snowbank Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Snowbank Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 4 to 5 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 53°F. Sunday: WSW wind 3 to 4 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 55°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Snowbank Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Tuesday looks best, with ESE wind around 8 to 9 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 Snowbank 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 Snowbank is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.