King tides expected to cause coastal flooding

As a safety pre-caution, beach and cove entryways may be closed as a result of the high tides. The National Weather Service says so-called King Tides starting today could affect areas from San Francisco Bay down to Southern California.

What was initially thought to have been a water main break in the vicinity of Midway Drive and Barnett Avenue was later determined to be flooding stemming from the high tide, according to San Diego Police.

The Manzanita Park and Ride area, above, is one of several areas in Marin expected to flood during high tides over the holidays.

This week’s tidal phenomenon is happening because “the sun, moon and Earth are aligned…there is a full moon and Earth is directly between the two celestial bodies, creating a doubly strong gravitational field”, the Chron reports. King Tides, as they’re called, are capable of heights around seven feet.

The highest level of the week will be Wednesday.

King tides are especially high as Earth approaches perihelion, the point in its orbit that it is closest to the Sunday.

Additional king tides will occur on December 22 to 24 and January 21 to 22, according to the California King Tides Project.

Baker said 10-to-15-foot sand walls have been put in place to protect public buildings, such as lifeguard facilities and restrooms.

The highest tides will be tomorrow.

She added that extensive damage is not expected during the upcoming king tides.

The stronger, higher berm and pumps in Seal Beach have been installed to brace to an El Niño winter, Bolin said. A second round of showers is expected late Wednesday into Thursday morning.

The higher than average sea surface temperatures causing El Niño conditions will make this year’s king tides even larger, according to David Revell, chief scientist at Revell Coastal, a consulting firm in Santa Cruz.