High Tide Bulletin: Spring 2019

Mid-Atlantic outlook

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

When will the tides be higher than normal?

• March 20 - 23
• April 18 - 21
• May 17 - 20

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 leading up to and after the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the earth's equator.
• Mean sea level is typically higher in the late spring 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.

Where might I expect high tide flooding?

• Bergen Point, NY; Sandy Hook, NJ

Southeast outlook

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

When will the tides be higher than normal?

• April 18 -21
• May 17-19

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 leading up to and after the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the earth's equator.
• Mean sea level is typically higher in the late spring 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

Where might I expect high tide flooding?

• Fort Pulaski, GA; Fernandina Beach, FL

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 won’t they be impacted?

• 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?

• The West Coast will not be significantly impacted by high tide flooding this spring.

Why won’t this region be impacted?

• Tides alone will not be enough to cause significant flooding

Hawaii and the Pacific Islands outlook

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

When will the tides be higher than normal?

• March 19 - 23

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.

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 are present at this time, increased levels of tidal flooding and coastal erosion may occur.
• Lower than normal low tides will also occur.

Where might I expect High Tide Flooding.

• Kwajalein, Marshall Islands

ALASKA outlook

When will the tides be higher than normal?

• March 20-23

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.

What kind of impact might I expect along the coast?

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