AlaskaNatural lake, 1,981 acres, Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area
Sweetwater Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
1-2kt
NW, gusts 9
High 46°F, rain 17%
Light wind -
TueOct 27
5-8kt
N, gusts 18
High 47°F, rain 0%
Good -
WedOct 28
1-5kt
N, gusts 13
High 45°F, rain 0%
Use caution -
ThuOct 29
0kt
Variable, gusts 5
High 43°F, rain 0%
Light wind -
FriOct 30
0-2kt
ESE, gusts 7
High 43°F, rain 22%
Light wind -
SatOct 31
3-5kt
SE, gusts 12
High 44°F, rain 48%
Use caution -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
SE, gusts 9
High 45°F, rain 50%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Sweetwater
Over the next 7 days on Sweetwater Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Tuesday, with gusts to about 18 kt. Thursday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 0 kt.
Tuesday is the pick for sailing, and Thursday 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 Sweetwater, 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.
Sweetwater Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Sweetwater Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: SE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 44°F. Sunday: SE wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 45°F, 50% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Sweetwater Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Tuesday looks best, with N wind around 5 to 8 kt and gusts near 18 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Sweetwater 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 Sweetwater is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.