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lakeglance

New HampshireNatural lake, 6,790 acres, Belknap County

Squam Lake wind forecast

Squam Lake, New Hampshire
Photo: The original uploader was Andromeda321 at English Wikipedia ., Public domain

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    3-7kt

    WNW, gusts 14

    High 63°F, rain 6%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    3-5kt

    NW, gusts 10

    High 49°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  3. WedOct 28

    0-3kt

    SW, gusts 6

    High 54°F, rain 0%

    Light wind
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-5kt

    WSW, gusts 10

    High 63°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    3-9kt

    WNW, gusts 17

    High 64°F, rain 3%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    1-4kt

    WNW, gusts 8

    High 58°F, rain 6%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0-3kt

    SW, gusts 6

    High 58°F, rain 14%

    Light wind

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 Squam

Over the next 7 days on Squam Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Friday, with gusts to about 17 kt. Wednesday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.

Friday is the pick for sailing, and Tuesday 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 Squam, 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.

Squam Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Squam Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: WNW wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 8 kt, high near 58°F. Sunday: SW wind 0 to 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 58°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Friday looks best, with WNW wind around 3 to 9 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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