A popular term, used by the public, councils and media, for exceptionally high tides that occur when spring tides coincide with the Moon at perigee, often reinforced by seasonal sea level. It has no strict technical definition, and specialists say perigean spring tide. Photographers and planners use king tides as a preview of sea level rise, since they show where routine high water will reach once the sea stands a little higher.
King tide Thursday morning, so move the trailers off the low end of the boat ramp lot.
A king tide on a calm day is a preview; the same tide with a modest onshore wind or a passing low is what fills the streets.
Also heard as
- king tides
- big tide
Related terms
Perigean spring tide
An especially large spring tide that occurs when new or full moon falls close to the Moon's nearest approach to Earth.
Spring tide
A tide of larger than average range, occurring around new and full moon when Sun and Moon pull in line.
High tide flooding
Shallow coastal flooding that happens when ordinary high tides exceed a local flood threshold, often without a storm.
Sunny-day flooding
Popular name for high tide flooding that arrives in fine weather, with no rain or storm in sight.