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lakeglance

MontanaNatural lake, 3,317 acres, Flathead County

Whitefish Lake wind forecast

Whitefish Lake, Montana
Photo: Schmiebel, CC BY-SA 4.0

7-day outlook

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

  1. TodayOct 26

    0-1kt

    NNW, gusts 3

    High 51°F, rain 37%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    2-4kt

    S, gusts 8

    High 45°F, rain 80%

    Light wind
  3. WedOct 28

    1-7kt

    SSE, gusts 12

    High 43°F, rain 96%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    1-3kt

    NE, gusts 5

    High 43°F, rain 37%

    Light wind
  5. FriOct 30

    0-4kt

    NNE, gusts 7

    High 45°F, rain 23%

    Light wind
  6. SatOct 31

    0-1kt

    N, gusts 3

    High 46°F, rain 12%

    Light wind
  7. SunNov 1

    0kt

    Variable, gusts 4

    High 46°F, rain 23%

    Light wind

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 Whitefish

Over the next 7 days on Whitefish Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 12 kt. Sunday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 0 kt.

Wednesday is the pick for sailing, and Saturday 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 Whitefish, 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.

Whitefish Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Whitefish Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 26: Saturday: N wind 0 to 1 kt, gusts to 3 kt, high near 46°F. Sunday: wind 0 kt, gusts to 4 kt, high near 46°F. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 26, Wednesday looks best, with SSE wind around 1 to 7 kt and gusts near 12 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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