Saturday 20 December 2014

High surf, “king tides” create potentially dangerous conditions


Though a high surf advisory issued by the National Weather Service expired early this morning, a coastal flood watch remains in effect until this afternoon.


Officials warn clam diggers they should be on alert for potentially dangerous conditions.


Significant wave run-up on beaches is likely and potential significant beach erosion is possible, said Chuck Wallace, deputy director of Grays Harbor Emergency Management.


Low-lying coastal communities such as Westport, Ocean Shores, Taholah and possibly Aberdeen may see minor flooding around this morning’s high tide at 11 a.m., Wallace said.


The Weather Service said a strong storm system will produce energetic 20-23 foot swells today. This wave action will likely produce beach erosion along the coast. An astronomical high tide is expected to occur 11 a.m. Saturday morning at 11.4 feet in Aberdeen.


Weekend clam digs are all night digs, with little to no moonlight, making the high surf potentially more dangerous.


Clam dig low tides are:


• Today — 5:23 p.m.


• Sunday — 6:06 p.m.


• Monday — 6:48 p.m.


• Tuesday — 7:31 p.m.


In addition to the high swells, a high astronomical tide, (King Tide), is predicted this morning along the coast, and tides are running around a foot above predicted values. The King Tides are naturally occurring and are the highest tides of the year. King Tides will occur the entire weekend through Tuesday.



No comments:

Post a Comment