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McDonald Lake kitesurf spot

Canada · Alberta

Spot currently openIntermediate levelAltitude 1,087 m 51.19 | -113.95

Overview

McDonald Lake is a small lake west of Calgary, at 1087 m altitude, in the transition zone between the prairies and the Rocky Mountain foothills. The high altitude reflects the proximity of the mountains.

This foothills lake benefits from powerful Chinook winds descending from the nearby Rockies. At this altitude, wind is often stronger and more consistent than on the plains. The lake offers adapted sailing space for kite sessions with Rocky Mountain views. Season from June to September.

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Spot forecast for McDonald Lake

Sunrise 08:08 · Sunset 18:32

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< 7 kn7–12 kn13–20 kn21–30 kn31–40 kn41+ kn Gusts Your minimum: 7 kn

Forecasts provided by Open-Meteo

McDonald Lake: when to go?

Rideable days and hours computed for a minimum wind of 7 knots · log in to set your own (foil, twin-tip…)

Season · peak

149h

in May · 19 rideable days

The season runs from April to June, peaking in May: 18 rideable days a month and 149 hours of usable wind, at 15 °C. The low point is November, at 9 days.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 January: 15 rideable days J February: 14.5 rideable days F March: 14 rideable days M April: 18 rideable days A May: 19 rideable days19 d M June: 16.5 rideable days J July: 14 rideable days J August: 14 rideable days A September: 12.5 rideable days S October: 21.5 rideable days O November: 9 rideable days9 d N December: 15 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 January: 15 rideable days J February: 14.5 rideable days F March: 14 rideable days M April: 18 rideable days A May: 19 rideable days19 d M June: 16.5 rideable days J July: 14 rideable days J August: 14 rideable days A September: 12.5 rideable days S October: 21.5 rideable days O November: 9 rideable days9 d N December: 15 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 65%13-20 knots · 30%21-30 knots · 5%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 65% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is February, at -4 °C. The wettest month is August, with 65 mm.

Monthly averages: McDonald Lake
Monthly averages — McDonald Lake — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 15.0 96 h -2 °C 2 mm
February 14.5 95 h -4 °C 5 mm
March 14.0 104 h 2 °C 15 mm
April 18.0 141 h 11 °C 27 mm
May 19.0 149 h 16 °C 28 mm
June 16.5 116 h 19 °C 45 mm
July 14.0 101 h 23 °C 14 mm
August 14.0 81 h 23 °C 65 mm
September 12.5 89 h 22 °C 5 mm
October 21.5 154 h 13 °C 4 mm
November 9.0 73 h 2 °C 17 mm
December 15.0 90 h -3 °C 7 mm

Photo gallery of McDonald Lake

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Technical details of McDonald Lake spot

N: Not rideable NNE: Not rideable NE: Not rideable ENE: Not rideable E: Not rideable ESE: Not rideable SE: Not rideable SSE: Not rideable S: Not rideable SSW: Rideable SW: Rideable WSW: Rideable W: Rideable WNW: Rideable NW: Rideable NNW: Not rideable N E S W

The spot works with winds from SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW.

Rideable Not rideable
Spot opening date · Required level
Spot opening date
Open all year round
Required level
Intermediate
On the water

Cool fresh water — high altitude (1087 m). Temperature of 16-20°C in summer. Variable bottom. Modest-sized lake — limited sailing space. Short chop. Chinook winds can be very powerful at this altitude.

Hazards

Potentially very powerful Chinook winds with gusts. High altitude — cold water and changing weather. Limited sailing space. Summer mountain thunderstorms. No natural shelter.

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Webcams near McDonald Lake

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Nearby spots

All spots: Alberta

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