King Tides
hosted by the Sun, Moon, & Gravity
Tides higher than +12 feet occur throughout the year with the highest highs in the fall and winter.
Times vary so check the "Events Calendar" for the exact times.
In 2024 King Tides will occur these days
Jan 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (the bold & underlined days are the highest in the series)
Jan 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Feb 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Mar 10, 11, 12
Jun 7
Jun 23, 24, 25
Jul 22, 23, 24
Aug 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Nov 16, 17, 18, 19
Dec 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
Dec 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
2023: Jan 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Jan 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,28 (23rd is the highest tide of the Winter)
Times vary so check the "Events Calendar" for the exact times.
In 2024 King Tides will occur these days
Jan 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 (the bold & underlined days are the highest in the series)
Jan 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23
Feb 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Mar 10, 11, 12
Jun 7
Jun 23, 24, 25
Jul 22, 23, 24
Aug 10, 11, 12, 13, 14
Nov 16, 17, 18, 19
Dec 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
Dec 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31
2023: Jan 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Jan 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27,28 (23rd is the highest tide of the Winter)
Memorable King Tides and High Winds
The Thursday February 10, 2016, 5:35 AM King Tide was supposed to be +12.3 but with the storm, the water went over the seawall at Cama and there was at least 4" of water inside the store! The Park staff say that the wind probably added 2.5' ... so it was like a +14.8' tide. To put that in context, the highest tide of the year is usually +13.1' or +13.2'
Our weather station's last transmission was at 5:20 AM. At that time there were steady 30 mpg winds with a gust of 51 mph.
The photo below was taken a few hours after high tide, but you can still see the high water line (just below the planter box).
The Thursday February 10, 2016, 5:35 AM King Tide was supposed to be +12.3 but with the storm, the water went over the seawall at Cama and there was at least 4" of water inside the store! The Park staff say that the wind probably added 2.5' ... so it was like a +14.8' tide. To put that in context, the highest tide of the year is usually +13.1' or +13.2'
Our weather station's last transmission was at 5:20 AM. At that time there were steady 30 mpg winds with a gust of 51 mph.
The photo below was taken a few hours after high tide, but you can still see the high water line (just below the planter box).
Everyone knew that the +12.8 high tide on December 17, 2012 would be one of the highest of the year, but a few days before, it became clear that the king tide would coincide with a sizable storm.
There were 20 mph winds from the WNW with some gusts reaching nearly 40 mph. NOAA estimated that the storm made it seem like the tide was another 1.5 feet higher. The following pictures tell the story.
There were 20 mph winds from the WNW with some gusts reaching nearly 40 mph. NOAA estimated that the storm made it seem like the tide was another 1.5 feet higher. The following pictures tell the story.
In 2012, the first "King Tide" of the winter occurred on November 17.
At 7:51 AM the tide at Cama Beach State Park was +12.4 feet. Following are some shots of how the shoreline looked.
At 7:51 AM the tide at Cama Beach State Park was +12.4 feet. Following are some shots of how the shoreline looked.
On January 23, 2011, the high tide was +13.0 at 7:25 AM.
In contrast to the winter King Tides above, Cama Beach State Park experiences very low daytime tides several times each summer. In 2015, the lowest tide of the year will be a -2.6 feet on Friday, July 3 at 12:23 PM.
Updated February 15, 2021
