Skip to content
lakeglance

MaineNatural lake, 1,983 acres, Penobscot County

South Branch Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-5kt

    W, gusts 10

    High 57°F, rain 17%

    Use caution
  2. TueOct 27

    4-7kt

    NW, gusts 14

    High 46°F, rain 0%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    1-5kt

    WSW, gusts 10

    High 49°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    3-6kt

    SSW, gusts 12

    High 58°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    5-10kt

    W, gusts 20

    High 62°F, rain 15%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    3-6kt

    WNW, gusts 13

    High 54°F, rain 4%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    2-6kt

    SW, gusts 13

    High 54°F, rain 10%

    Use caution

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 South Branch

Over the next 7 days on South Branch Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 20 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Friday is the pick for sailing, and Wednesday 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 South Branch, 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.

South Branch Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for South Branch Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 3 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 54°F. Sunday: SW wind 2 to 6 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 54°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with W wind around 5 to 10 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 South Branch 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 South Branch is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.