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NebraskaReservoir, 4,661 acres, Hitchcock County

Swanson Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    7-14kt

    NNW, gusts 20

    High 55°F, rain 80%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    3-8kt

    SSE, gusts 15

    High 62°F, rain 5%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    2-5kt

    NNW, gusts 10

    High 67°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-6kt

    E, gusts 11

    High 66°F, rain 2%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    2-9kt

    SE, gusts 15

    High 68°F, rain 29%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    5-8kt

    S, gusts 14

    High 65°F, rain 19%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    5-8kt

    SE, gusts 15

    High 64°F, rain 30%

    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 Swanson

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

Monday 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 Swanson, 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.

Swanson Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Swanson Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 65°F. Sunday: SE wind 5 to 8 kt, gusts to 15 kt, high near 64°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Monday looks best, with NNW wind around 7 to 14 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 Swanson 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 Swanson is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.