High Tide Bulletin: Summer 2017

When you may experience higher than normal tides from June through August 2017.

The rising and falling of the sea is a phenomenon upon which we can always depend. Tides are the regular rise and fall of the sea surface caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their position relative to the earth. There are some factors that cause the tides to be higher than what is "normally" seen from day to day. This bulletin tells you when you may experience higher than normal high tides for the period of time between June and August 2017.

Regional outlook (Text only)

Northeast outlook

Includes Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York

When will the tides be higher than normal?

  • June 22-26, July 22-24

Where might I expect high tide flooding?

  • Tide stations at the following locations have the greatest chance of seeing high tide flooding: Boston, Massachusetts; Bridgeport, Connecticut; Kings Point, New York.
  • View NOAA Tidal Predictions

Why will they be higher than normal?

  • A perigean spring tide will be occurring. This is when the moon is either new or full and closest to earth. Higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides will occur.
  • Tides will increase near the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the earth's equator.
  • Mean sea level is typically higher due to changing weather patterns and increasing water temperatures.

What kind of impact might I expect along the coast?

  • Due to the topography of the northeast (less low lying areas), tidal flooding will not likely cause a significant impact on the coast unless accompanied by storm or strong winds.

Mid-Atlantic outlook

Includes New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia

When will the tides be higher than normal?

  • June 22-26, July 22-24, August 20-22

Where might I expect high tide flooding?

  • Tide stations at the following locations have the greatest chance of seeing high tide flooding: Cape May, New Jersey; Sandy Hook, New Jersey; Atlantic City, New Jersey; Bergen Point, New York; Lewes, Delaware.
  • View NOAA Tidal Predictions

Why will they be higher than normal?

  • A perigean spring tide will be occurring. This is when the moon is either new or full and closest to earth.  Higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides will occur.
  • Tides will increase as we approach the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the earth's equator.
  • Mean sea level is typically higher due to changing weather patterns and increasing water temperatures.

What kind of impact might I expect along the coast?

  • Minor tidal flooding along the coast, in particular in low-lying areas.
  • If a storm occurs at this time, increased levels of tidal flooding and coastal erosion may occur.
  • Lower than normal low tides will also occur.

Southeast outlook

Includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Eastern Florida coast

When will the tides be higher than normal?

  • June 22-26, July 22-24, August 20-22

Where might I expect high tide flooding?

  • Tide stations at the following locations have the greatest chance of seeing high tide flooding: Charleston, South Carolina; Wilmington, North Carolina; Beaufort, North Carolina; Fort Pulaski, Georgia.
  • View NOAA Tidal Predictions

Why will they be higher than normal?

  • A perigean spring tide will be occurring. This is when the moon is either new or full and closest to earth, higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides will occur.
  • Tides will increase as we approach the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the earth's equator.
  • Mean sea level is typically higher due to changing weather patterns and increasing water temperatures.

What kind of impact might I expect along the coast?

  • Minor tidal flooding along the coast, in particular in low-lying areas.
  • If a storm occurs at this time, increased levels of tidal flooding and coastal erosion may occur.
  • Lower than normal low tides will also occur.

Gulf Coast outlook

Includes Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Western Florida coast

When will the tides be higher than normal?

  • The Gulf Coast will not be significantly impacted.

Why not?

  • In many locations of the Gulf Coast, the tidal range is relatively small compared to other regions of the U.S, so they will not be as significantly impacted by a perigean spring tide.

West Coast outlook

Includes California, Oregon, Washington State

When will the tides be higher than normal?

  • June 22-25, July 20-24, August 19-21

Where might I expect high tide flooding?

  • Tide stations at the following locations have the greatest chance of seeing high tide flooding: La Jolla, California; San Francisco, California.
  • View NOAA Tidal Predictions

Why will they be higher than normal?

  • A perigean spring tide will be occurring. This is when the moon is either new or full and closest to earth, higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides will occur.
  • Tides will increase near the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the earth's equator.
  • Mean sea level will be higher due to changing weather patterns and increasing water temperatures.

What kind of impact might I expect along the coast?

  • Minor tidal flooding along the coast, especially in low-lying areas.
  • If a storm occurs at this time, increased levels of tidal flooding and coastal erosion may occur.
  • Lower than normal low tides will also occur.

Hawaii and the Pacific Islands outlook

Includes Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, Midway, Kwajalein, and Wake Island

When will the tides be higher than normal?

  • June 22-26, July 21-24, August 19-22

Where might I expect high tide flooding?

Why will they be higher than normal?

  • A perigean spring tide will be occurring. This is when the moon is either new or full and closest to earth, higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides will occur.
  • Tides will increase as we approach the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the earth's equator.
  • An ongoing high sea level anomaly over much of the North Pacific of a half foot and more, if it persists, will increase the reach of the tides.

What kind of impact might I expect along the coast?

  • Minor tidal flooding along the coast, in particular in low-lying areas.
  • If a local storm or large swell is present at this time, increased levels of tidal flooding and coastal erosion may occur.
  • Lower than normal low tides will also occur.

ALASKA outlook

When will the tides be higher than normal?

  • June 24-25

Why will they be higher than normal?

  • A perigean spring tide will be occurring. This is when the moon is either new or full and closest to earth, higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides will occur.
  • Tides will increase as we approach the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the earth's equator.

What kind of impact might I expect along the coast?

  • Due to the topography of Alaska (less low lying areas), tidal flooding will generally not have a significant impact on the coast unless there is a severe storm.