King tides are not a real scientific term but they refer to tides that are especially high, because of the alignment of the earth, sun, and the moon. A “King” tide is the highest predicted high tide of the year at any specific location. King tides are also called Perigean Spring tides. A Perigean Spring tide occurs when the moon is new or full, and closest to the earth. These tides can cause major flooding issues and need to be monitored carefully. When these tides occur concurrently with other weather incidences such as storms or high winds, major flooding has been documented. Recently major flooding on Florida ‘s east coast occurred when a King tide combined with strong winds from an offshore hurricane Nicole. West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton were all effected by unusually high tides causing street flooding, business closings and beach erosion.
How do they work?
The gravitational pull of the moon and the sun causes the ocean tides. Tides are long period waves that roll around the planet as the ocean is pulled by the gravitational forces. The gravitational pull is stronger when the moon and the sun are closest to the Earth. This increase in gravitational pull will result in higher tides. The moon plays a stronger role that the sun because it is closer to the Earth. The moon’s gravitational pull is therefore twice as strong as the sun’s. During a Full or New Moon, when the Earth, sun and moon, are in alignment, the gravitational pull of the sun is added to the gravitational pull of the moon. This increase in gravitational pull causes the oceans to bulge, and therefore the tides are more pronounced. These are called Spring Tides. When the moon is at its closest point to the Earth it is called a Perigee. This occurs once every 28 days. Because the moon is closest to the Earth at these points the gravitational pull is slightly stronger on the ocean. This creates slightly more pronounced tides.Several times a year, a Full or New Moon will coincide with a Perigee. During these times the increased gravitational pull caused by the combination of the two occurrences causes the tides to become even more pronounced, which can be 2 to 6 inches higher, or lower, than average tides.
Why are they important?
When these tides occur concurrently with other weather incidences such as storms or high winds, major flooding often occurs. King tide have cause many problems for costal regions.
King tides are not a real scientific term but they refer to tides that are especially high, because of the alignment of the earth, sun, and the moon. A “King” tide is the highest predicted high tide of the year at any specific location. King tides are also called Perigean Spring tides. A Perigean Spring tide occurs when the moon is new or full, and closest to the earth. These tides can cause major flooding issues and need to be monitored carefully. When these tides occur concurrently with other weather incidences such as storms or high winds, major flooding has been documented. Recently major flooding on Florida ‘s east coast occurred when a King tide combined with strong winds from an offshore hurricane Nicole. West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton were all effected by unusually high tides causing street flooding, business closings and beach erosion.
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