Did you get a good look this week at the first in the three-month series of the year’s lowest tides? While they remain sort-of low for the next few weeks, the next series of lowest tides won’t come for another month.
Starting this week, Yachats and the central Oregon coast are experiencing their lowest tides of the year during June, July and August. They were this past Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and then again July 3-5 — just in time for the holiday visitors — and July 31 to Aug. 3. All will have minus tides of 1.3 to 1.5 feet.
Normal low tides during those months range from a plus 1 to 2.5 feet – a substantial difference of three feet over the course of a month, according to tide tables for the central Oregon coast. High tides during the same days are about 8 feet.
The low tides all occur during the morning, usually between 6-10 a.m.
All of these major low tide events occur in the days directly following a new moon.
Ocean tides are created by the gravitational force between the Earth, the sun and the moon. The tide fluctuates the most during full moons and new moons, as the alignment of all three creates a stronger gravitational pull.
