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High Tide Bulletin: Summer 2019

When you may experience higher than normal tides between June and August 2019.

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 2019.

Regional outlook Text Only

Northeast outlook

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

When will the tides be higher than normal?

  • July 31 - August 4
  • August 29 - September 2

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.
  • 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?

  • July 31 - August 3
  • August 28 - September 2

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.
  • 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 Pt, NY; Sandy Hook, NY; Atlantic City, NJ; 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?

  • July 31 - August 3
  • August 28 - September 2

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.
  • 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 Fernandina Beach, FL; Fort Pulaski, GA; Charleston, SC; Myrtle Beach, 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?

  • July 1- 4
  • July 29- August 2
  • August 28 - 31

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 earth's equator.
  • Mean sea level will be higher due to changing weather patterns and increasing water temperatures.

Where might I expect High Tide Flooding?

  • Coastal areas near the tide stations at San Diego, CA; La Jolla, CA; Santa Monica, CA have the greatest chance of seeing high tide flooding.

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.

Hawaii and the Pacific Islands outlook

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

When will the tides be higher than normal?

  • July 30 - August 3
  • August 28 - September 2

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.

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?

  • August 1-4
  • August 30 - September 3

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.
high tide flooding (King Tide) in Washington State

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.

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Last updated:
06/16/24

Author: NOAA

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