Seattle, WA · lake · best for beginners
Lake Union
Houseboats, seaplanes, and Gas Works Park — Seattle's urban lake is endlessly entertaining flatwater. Stay alert in the seaplane landing lane mid-lake.
Weather comparison · not a safety rating
Mostly favorable
Weather score out of 100
Weather only. River flow, dam releases, water temperature and local hazards are not included in this number. Check the local guidance below.
Weather observation: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:00:00 GMT.
Page checked: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:03:32 GMT. Readings older than one hour are not used for the current score.
Plan this trip
Launch access & local options
Seattle Parks lists the Sunnyside Avenue N Boat Ramp at the end of Sunnyside Avenue N, east of Gas Works Park. Use the designated ramp rather than assuming any shoreline is a launch.
- For rentals, Northwest Outdoor Center launches from its Lake Union docks. Check weather-dependent opening status and reservations with the operator.
- For your own boat, check the city's current ramp access and fee information. Keep your route clear of working docks, boats and aircraft operations.
Need a kayak or a guide?
Kayak and paddleboard rentals from Lake Union docks. Review current launch times and weather restrictions.
View Northwest Outdoor Center options ↗Direct operator link. We do not earn a booking commission from this link. Availability and terms are set by the operator.
Sources reviewed 2026-09-23
Source review is not an on-site inspection. Check current notices before travelling.
Wind
11 mph
gusting to 25 mph
Air temp
58°F
28% chance of rain
Weather outlook
Friday · 100
Mon
74
64°
Tue
45
58°
Wed
95
61°
Thu
94
56°
Fri
100
64°
Best
Sat
94
66°
Sun
100
70°
Compares forecast wind, air temperature and rain. Does not assess river flow, swell, currents, water temperature or launch access. All times are local to this location.
Wind, next 12 hours
mph| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 7p | 11 | 25 |
| 8p | 12 | 28 |
| 9p | 11 | 26 |
| 10p | 9 | 23 |
| 11p | 9 | 24 |
| 12a | 8 | 22 |
| 1a | 10 | 28 |
| 2a | 12 | 31 |
| 3a | 12 | 29 |
| 4a | 12 | 28 |
| 5a | 14 | 31 |
| 6a | 13 | 30 |
Why this score
- Wind — 11 mph — moderate wind at the forecast location-13
- Gusts — Gusting to 25 mph — 14 mph over sustained-7
- Cold — 58°F air temperature — cool weather; water temperature is not measured-3
Launch notes
Use a designated launch such as Sunnyside Avenue N Boat Ramp. Check the city access guidance and keep clear of active aircraft and boat traffic.
Do your own homework
We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.
- Paddler discussion on Reddit
Trip reports and local warnings, straight from the source
- Search American Whitewater
Rapid classifications and gauge-linked run descriptions
- Satellite view and access roads
Check parking, put-ins, and what the banks actually look like
- Video from this water
The fastest way to see the character of a run before you drive