The second round of the highest tides of the winter – called king tides – occur again this week along the Oregon coast.
In Oregon, king tides occur three months in the winter and three times during the summer when the Earth, moon and sun align to produce the highest tides of the year – ranging from 9 to 12 feet on the central Oregon coast. These tides are 2-3 feet higher than tides during the quieter summer months.
The first king tides sequence occurred over Thanksgiving. Now they’re back for Christmas — reaching nearly 12 feet from 11 a.m. Friday to 12:45 p.m. Christmas Day. They return again Jan. 20-22.
The king tides have also become a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors to high areas along the coast to watch the crashing waves.
The series of high tides also coincides with the Oregon King Tides Project, a citizen-science effort, organized by CoastWatch and the Oregon Coastal Management Program. The project creates a time-lapse glimpse of how rising sea levels are affecting coastlines around the world.
