King tides, the annual extreme-high tides that occur whenever the moon is closest to Earth, are a dramatic feature of Washington winters — and a glimpse of the possible future of Western Washington as sea levels rise.
This holiday season provides an opportunity for people to capture these extreme tides and help scientists assemble a preview of shorelines to come.
For Washington Sea Grant’s schedule of this season’s predicted king tides, go to tinyurl.com/PDN-kingtides2018.
There you will find that the very high tides were expected to begin on the North Olympic Peninsula today in La Push. The king tides there, all over 10 feet, will be through Sunday, from Dec. 22 to 24 and from Jan. 20 to 21.
King tides are expected to begin in Port Townsend — over 9 feet — and Dungeness — over 8 feet — on Monday.
Olympia is expected to experience king tides over 16 feet.
Washington Sea Grant and the state Department of Ecology urge all to take photographs of king tides and post them online.
The photos will help scientists, managers, planners and others in the region’s communities visualize the changes coming to coastal regions around Western Washington, Washington Sea Grant said.
To find out more about the Washington King Tides Program and sea level rise projections, go to tinyurl.com/PDN-kingtideprogram.
Washington Sea Grant, based at the University of Washington, provides statewide marine research, outreach, and education services. The National Sea Grant College Program is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
