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 2018. We also publish annual high tide flooding reports that present a broad outlook of what to expect for a given year, as well as a summary of high tide flooding events for the previous calendar year.
Regional outlook (Text only)
Northeast outlook
Includes Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York
When will the tides be higher than normal?
- June 13-17
- July 12-16
- Aug 10-14
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 in the weeks leading up to and after the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the 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 widespread impact on the coast unless accompanied by storm or strong winds.
Where might I expect high tide flooding?
- Coastal areas near the tide stations at Bar Harbor, ME; Portland, ME; Boston, MA; Providence, RI have the greatest chance of seeing high tide flooding.
Mid-Atlantic outlook
Includes New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, District of Columbia, Virginia
When will the tides be higher than normal?
- Jun 13-15
- Jul 12-14
- Aug 10-12
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 in the weeks leading up to and after the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the 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.
Where might I expect high tide flooding?
- Coastal areas near the tide stations at Bergen Point, NY; Sandy Hook, NJ and Cape May, NJ, have the greatest chance of seeing high tide flooding.
Southeast outlook
Includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Eastern Florida coast
When will the tides be higher than normal?
- Jun 13-15
- Jul 12-14
- Aug 10-12
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 in the weeks leading up to and after the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the 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.
Where might I expect high tide flooding?
- Coastal areas near the tide stations at Fort Pulaski, GA; Myrtle Beach, SC; and Charleston, SC have the greatest chance of seeing high tide flooding.
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?
- Jun 12-14
- Jul 11-14
- Aug 9-11
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 in the weeks leading up to and after the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the 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, 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?
- Coastal areas near the tide stations at San Diego, CA; La Jolla, CA and Santa Monica, CA have the greatest chance of seeing high tide 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?
- Jun 13-16
- Jul 12-15
- Aug 9-13
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 equator.
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.
Where might I expect high tide flooding?
- Areas near the tide station on Kwajalein, Marshall Islands have the greatest chance of seeing high tide flooding.
ALASKA outlook
When will the tides be higher than normal?
- Jul 13-15
- Aug 12-13
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 in the weeks leading up to and after the June 21 summer solstice, due to the position of the sun relative to the 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.
This year’s report summarizing the high tide flooding events in 2017 and our high tide flooding outlook for 2018 is now available. The latest report is based on new, national flooding thresholds. It focuses on more impactful, deeper floods at some locations and expands the outlook to about 100 coastal locations.