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lakeglance

AlaskaNatural lake, 1,177 acres, Ketchikan Gateway Borough

Wilson Lake wind forecast

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset

7-day outlook

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

  1. MonOct 26

    1-4kt

    NNE, gusts 9

    High 30°F, rain 11%

    Light wind
  2. TueOct 27

    6-14kt

    NNE, gusts 19

    High 33°F, rain 18%

    Good
  3. WedOct 28

    9-18kt

    NNE, gusts 23

    High 31°F, rain 0%

    Use caution
  4. ThuOct 29

    5-14kt

    NE, gusts 17

    High 30°F, rain 0%

    Good
  5. FriOct 30

    2-7kt

    E, gusts 8

    High 30°F, rain 0%

    Good
  6. SatOct 31

    3-9kt

    ESE, gusts 10

    High 30°F, rain 43%

    Good
  7. SunNov 1

    2-8kt

    E, gusts 9

    High 31°F, rain 50%

    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 Wilson

Over the next 7 days on Wilson Lake, the windiest stretch looks like Wednesday, with gusts to about 23 kt. Monday is the calmest day in the outlook, topping out near 4 kt.

Thursday is the pick for sailing, and Monday 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 Wilson, 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.

Wilson Lake forecast questions

What is the wind forecast for Wilson Lake this weekend?

In the National Weather Service forecast from October 25: Saturday: ESE wind 3 to 9 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 30°F. Sunday: E wind 2 to 8 kt, gusts to 9 kt, high near 31°F, 50% chance of rain. The live cards above always show the latest update.

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

Based on the National Weather Service forecast from October 25, Thursday looks best, with NE wind around 5 to 14 kt and gusts near 17 kt. Forecasts beyond three days shift, so check the live day cards above and look again the night before.

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