The highest summer tide on record could happen in the San Francisco Bay Area over the coming days, with forecasters warning of flooding in low-lying coastal areas through at least midweek.
Water levels are expected to be high enough to challenge or exceed the current summer tide record of 1.7 feet, set in July 2022, according to the San Francisco Bay Area office of the National Weather Service.
At the San Francisco tidal gauge, up to two feet of inundation above ground level is forecast for late Sunday, followed by 1.9 feet on Tuesday and 1.6 feet on Wednesday.
Forecasters said the elevated tides could lead to minor flooding in low-lying areas along the Bayshore and Pacific Coast, particularly during overnight and early morning high tides.
The unusually high water levels are being driven by several factors occurring at the same time.
Forecasters said Sunday’s new moon, combined with the moon’s closer than usual position to Earth, known as the lunar perigee, is increasing the strength of the tides.
In addition, slightly elevated ocean levels caused by the expansion of warmer seawater, along with long-term sea level rise, as measured since tidal benchmarks were established in the 1980s and 1990s, are contributing to the event.
A Coastal Flood Advisory remains in effect until 3 a.m. local time on Wednesday for Bayshore locations along the San Francisco and San Pablo Bays.
A separate advisory remains in effect until 3 a.m. local time Tuesday for low-lying areas along the Pacific Coast.
National Weather Service officials said flooding was expected to remain minor, but residents were urged to protect flood-prone property and be prepared for water covering roads, parking lots and parks.
Forecasters said the expected water levels would be lower than the historic January tidal event, which peaked at 2.6 feet above normal.
Winter flooding events are often more intense because of the added influence of storms, including strong winds, that can push water higher onto the coast.
The high tides are occurring at the same time as hazardous beach conditions along much of the Bay Area coastline.
A separate Beach Hazards Statement was issued because of powerful ocean swells that could produce strong rip currents and large breaking waves through early Wednesday.
The swells could also produce dangerous so-called sneaker waves, “which run up the beach much farther than other waves, potentially catching beachgoers by surprise and resulting in people being swept into the water,” the National Weather Service said.
Residents were advised to stay away from jetties, piers, rocks and other waterside structures and to avoid entering the water.
On Thursday, the body of a 5-year-old girl who was swept away at a Southern California beach was recovered on Thursday, the authorities said.
The girl, her sibling and their mother were in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Tuesday evening when large swells overtook them. Two people who were nearby immediately jumped in and rescued the mother and one child.
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