Overview

Alpena is a kitesurf spot located on Thunder Bay of Lake Huron, in northeastern Lower Michigan. Alpena is the largest city in northeastern Michigan and home to the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, protecting numerous historic shipwrecks. Thunder Bay offers semi-sheltered conditions with moderate waves. The lake bottom contains many shipwrecks — a unique setting for riding.

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Spot forecast for Alpena

Sunrise 07:56 · Sunset 18:40

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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

Alpena: 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

299h

in March · 29.5 rideable days

The spot works year-round: 26 rideable days a month on average, at 13 °C. It peaks in March, with 299 hours of usable wind.

Rideable days per month

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 85%13-20 knots · 14%21-30 knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 85% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at -2 °C. The wettest month is March, with 81 mm.

Monthly averages: Alpena

Monthly averages — Alpena — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month	Rideable days	Usable wind	Temperature	Rain
January	25.0	211 h	-2 °C	35 mm
February	22.5	192 h	1 °C	33 mm
March	29.5	299 h	5 °C	81 mm
April	29.5	314 h	11 °C	55 mm
May	27.5	294 h	17 °C	21 mm
June	25.0	253 h	24 °C	57 mm
July	26.5	201 h	26 °C	28 mm
August	27.0	238 h	25 °C	68 mm
September	27.0	205 h	21 °C	34 mm
October	27.5	223 h	17 °C	29 mm
November	25.0	208 h	7 °C	41 mm
December	24.0	191 h	-1 °C	41 mm

Photo gallery of Alpena

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Technical details of Alpena spot

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, NE, ENE, E, ESE, SE, SSE, S, SSW, SW, WSW, W, WNW, NW, NNW.

Rideable Not rideable

Spot opening date · Required level

Spot opening date: Open all year round
Required level: Intermediate

On the water

Thunder Bay water body on Lake Huron. The bay offers partial protection, with moderate chop to 1-meter waves in sustained east winds. Cold water — full wetsuit required except in midsummer. Sandy and rocky bottom. The marine sanctuary protects underwater shipwrecks — be mindful of navigation above protected sites.

Hazards

Cold Lake Huron water with hypothermia risk. Submerged shipwrecks in the marine sanctuary — underwater rocks and structures possible. Longshore currents in strong winds. Recreational and sanctuary tour boat traffic. Violent thunderstorms possible in summer with lightning risk — exit water immediately. Respect protected areas of the national marine sanctuary.

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GW0478 Alpena3.3 kmsource noaa

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Additional stations

Alpena County Regional Airport (KAPN)10.4 km

Readings reserved for Premium members
source aviationweather.gov
Ogimet - ALPENA COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT (United States)10.5 km

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source ogimet

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Webcams near Alpena

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Nearby spots

All spots: Michigan

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Alpena kitesurf, wingfoil and surf spot