AlaskaNatural lake, 9,143 acres, Northwest Arctic Borough
Walker Lake wind forecast
7-day outlook
Daylight hours, 8am to 7pm local time. Wind in knots.
-
MonOct 26
5-9kt
S, gusts 13
High 40°F, rain 100%
Good -
TueOct 27
4-8kt
SSE, gusts 9
High 41°F, rain 95%
Good -
WedOct 28
6kt
E, gusts 11
High 38°F, rain 97%
Good -
ThuOct 29
4-6kt
ESE, gusts 10
High 35°F, rain 66%
Use caution -
FriOct 30
4-6kt
E, gusts 10
High 36°F, rain 98%
Use caution -
SatOct 31
3kt
E, gusts 6
High 35°F, rain 73%
Light wind -
SunNov 1
2-3kt
E, gusts 5
High 25°F, rain 43%
Light wind
Hour by hour, next 3 days
This week on Walker
Over the next 7 days on Walker Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Monday, with gusts to about 13 kt. Saturday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 3 kt.
Monday is the pick for sailing, and Sunday 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 Walker, 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.
Walker Lake forecast questions
What is the wind forecast for Walker Lake this weekend?
In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: E wind 3 kt, gusts to 6 kt, high near 35°F, 73% chance of rain. Sunday: E wind 2 to 3 kt, gusts to 5 kt, high near 25°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.
When is the best day to sail on Walker Lake this week?
Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Monday looks best, with S wind around 5 to 9 kt and gusts near 13 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.
Where does the Walker 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 Walker is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their wind forecasts.