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lakeglance

MichiganNatural lake, 1,414 acres, Iosco County

Van Etten Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    5-9kt

    N, gusts 13

    High 55°F, rain 11%

    Good
  2. TueOct 27

    5-8kt

    ESE, gusts 13

    High 53°F, rain 2%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    5-8kt

    S, gusts 12

    High 64°F, rain 0%

    Good
  4. ThuOct 29

    6-10kt

    SW, gusts 16

    High 68°F, rain 39%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    3-5kt

    WNW, gusts 7

    High 60°F, rain 8%

    Use caution
  6. SatOct 31

    4-7kt

    S, gusts 10

    High 60°F, rain 16%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    4-7kt

    SSW, gusts 10

    High 61°F, rain 31%

    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 Van Etten

Over the next 7 days on Van Etten Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Thursday, with gusts to about 16 kt. Friday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 5 kt.

Thursday 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.

On a lake the size of Van Etten, 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.

Van Etten Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Van Etten Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: S wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 60°F. Sunday: SSW wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 61°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Thursday looks best, with SW wind around 6 to 10 kt and gusts near 16 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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