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Lake McConaughy kitesurf and wingfoil spot

United States · Nebraska

Spot currently openIntermediate levelAltitude 987 m 41.24 | -101.79

Overview

Lake McConaughy, nicknamed "Big Mac", is Nebraska's largest reservoir and one of the best kite spots in the Great Plains. This 120 km² lake in western Nebraska offers exceptional fetch and powerful, consistent prairie winds. The vast white sand beaches resemble an ocean coastline. Crystal-clear turquoise water fed by the North Platte River. Popular kitesurf destination with an active community. Season from May to October. Beach camping allowed.

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Spot forecast for Lake McConaughy

Sunrise 07:04 · Sunset 17:58

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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

Lake McConaughy: 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

290h

in March · 30.5 rideable days

The spot works year-round: 28 rideable days a month on average, at 18 °C. It peaks in March, with 290 hours of usable wind.

Rideable days per month

0 10 20 30 40 January: 26 rideable days J February: 27 rideable days F March: 30.5 rideable days30.5 d M April: 29 rideable days A May: 29 rideable days M June: 29 rideable days J July: 28 rideable days J August: 27.5 rideable days A September: 28 rideable days S October: 25.5 rideable days O November: 24.5 rideable days24.5 d N December: 28.5 rideable days D 0 10 20 30 40 January: 26 rideable days J February: 27 rideable days F March: 30.5 rideable days30.5 d M April: 29 rideable days A May: 29 rideable days M June: 29 rideable days J July: 28 rideable days J August: 27.5 rideable days A September: 28 rideable days S October: 25.5 rideable days O November: 24.5 rideable days24.5 d N December: 28.5 rideable days D

Wind strength when it is rideable

7-12 knots · 62%13-20 knots · 32%21-30 knots · 6%31+ knots · under 1%

When the spot works, wind sits mostly between 7 and 12 knots — 62% of rideable hours. Big-kite territory. The coldest month is January, at 1 °C. The wettest month is May, with 86 mm.

Monthly averages: Lake McConaughy
Monthly averages — Lake McConaughy — averaged over 2 years of records — Weather data by Open-Meteo.com — How it is calculated
Month Rideable days Usable wind Temperature Rain
January 26.0 223 h 1 °C 3 mm
February 27.0 238 h 6 °C 12 mm
March 30.5 290 h 13 °C 24 mm
April 29.0 337 h 17 °C 40 mm
May 29.0 344 h 21 °C 86 mm
June 29.0 327 h 29 °C 51 mm
July 28.0 285 h 31 °C 26 mm
August 27.5 271 h 29 °C 38 mm
September 28.0 257 h 28 °C 10 mm
October 25.5 261 h 21 °C 8 mm
November 24.5 204 h 12 °C 32 mm
December 28.5 239 h 10 °C 0 mm

Photo gallery of Lake McConaughy

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Technical details of Lake McConaughy spot

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

The spot works with winds from N, NNE, 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

Crystal-clear turquoise freshwater — one of the clearest waters in Nebraska. Water temperature from 0°C in winter (frozen) to 24°C in summer. Very large lake with exceptional fetch that can create significant waves. Sandy bottom. Lake level highly variable between years. Full 4/3 wetsuit in spring/fall, shorty in summer. Elevation 987m.

Hazards

Violent thunderstorms with lightning and possible tornadoes — exit water immediately if sky threatens. Large lake: conditions can deteriorate very rapidly with significant waves. Powerful prairie winds often exceeding 30-40 knots. Heavy motorboat traffic in summer. Highly variable lake level: shallows and submerged debris. Rattlesnakes on beaches. Cold water in spring — hypothermia possible.

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