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Get Ready for This Weekend’s King Tides

This weekend the planets are aligning to give the Bay Area and the California coastline two to three days of king tides. The California King Tides Project describes the phenomenon as “very high tides, caused when there is alignment of the gravitational pull between sun, moon, and Earth.” Usually these “very high tides” will be around one to two feet higher than normal high tides. It doesn’t sound like much, but when you consider how close we live to the waterline, even a few extra inches can have enormous repercussions. It’s therefore no surprise that everyone is talking about the tides.

In San Francisco, the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park has advised that it will close access to its ships for the high tide periods. In Marin, the fire department has issued warnings on social media that the king tides could cause flooding and road closures, although, anyone who travels between Sausalito and Mill Valley will know that ‘could’ is actually ‘will’.

King tides
Those willing to drive through the flooded roads to launch from Clipper Yacht Harbor in Sausalito this morning will still find themselves stymied by the tide.
© 2021 Latitude 38 Media LLC / Monica

But it’s not all bad. California King Tides Project uses these tide events as an opportunity to document and study the effects of rising sea levels. And you can help. The organization is asking people to photograph the high tides in their area to help visualize the future waterlines and landscapes.

To learn more and to get involved, go to California King Tides Project.

The king tides are expected across this weekend, and again in January 2022, on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Get the latest California tide information here.

Now is probably a good time to go check your lines!

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