A remote-controlled RC surfer is riding a king tide wave in Huntington Beach, Calif. The California coast will see high and low tides over the weekend according to the National Weather Service.
Damian Dovarganes.
The California coast will see king tides over the weekend when the moon, Earth and sun come into alignment.
Some coastal communities in the San Francisco Bay Area could experience flooding due to the confluence of the sun and moon with some of the highest and lowest tides of the year.
No significant damage is expected despite the beach hazard advisories issued by the NWS.
The lowest low tides of the season will follow hours later in the afternoons, the NWS said on Friday. The king tides are expected to peak on Saturday.
King tides happen when a new moon or full moon is close to Earth and the sun.
A staircase along the Embarcadero in San Francisco was flooded in January of last year.
Jeff Chiu.
They are of interest to environmental scientists because they give a glimpse of what higher sea levels could look like as a result of global warming and the damage that can cause local communities. They are indicators of how rising water levels can extend further inland. In addition to increased flooding, encroaching waves erode beaches and cliffs.
The California Legislative analyst's office reported in August 2020.
The magnitude of sealevel rise in California could be as much as seven feet by the year 2200, according to scientific estimates. Storm surge, high 'king tides' and El Nio events could produce higher water levels than SLR alone.
Up to $10 billion worth of existing property in California is likely to be underwater by the year 2050 according to a study. There will be an additional $6 billion to $10 billion at risk.
The organizers of the California King Tide Project are asking residents and visitors to take pictures of the phenomenon over the weekend to create a record of changes to the coast and estuaries. The photos will be added to a map of king tides.
Guided walks and activities for the public are being led by the organization.
