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MichiganNatural lake, 18,728 acres, Antrim County

Torch Lake (Antrim County, Michigan) wind forecast

Torch Lake, Michigan
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-9kt

    N, gusts 18

    High 52°F, rain 10%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    4-8kt

    SE, gusts 18

    High 57°F, rain 9%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    6-8kt

    S, gusts 18

    High 67°F, rain 1%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    4-9kt

    WSW, gusts 19

    High 62°F, rain 60%

    Use caution
  5. FriOct 30

    1-4kt

    NW, gusts 12

    High 60°F, rain 11%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    3-5kt

    SSE, gusts 14

    High 61°F, rain 22%

    Use caution
  7. SunNov 1

    3-5kt

    SSW, gusts 14

    High 61°F, rain 39%

    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 Torch

Over the next 7 days on Torch Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 19 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Friday 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.

Torch Lake is large enough for wind to build real waves. When the forecast direction lines up with the long open stretches of the lake, expect bigger chop than the wind speed alone suggests, and plan routes that keep you near a sheltered shore on the way back.

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.

Torch Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Torch Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: SSE wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 61°F. Sunday: SSW wind 3 to 5 kt, gusts to 14 kt, high near 61°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with S wind around 6 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 Torch 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 Torch is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.