VIDEO: Spring tide in Delray Beach, Florida.
October 27, 2015: Flooding caused by the full moon causes severe flooding throughout southern and central Palm Beach County near the Intracoastal Waterway.
The annual advance of spring tides, combined with the pull of September’s full moon, could push brimming brackish water into coastal roads this week.
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service have issued a flood warning for all of South Florida through at least Friday afternoon. The city of West Palm Beach is expected to experience the highest tides during this first phase of the autumnal plague on Thursday.
“While we do not anticipate widespread flooding, there is a possibility of localized flooding, so we urge residents to prepare and remain vigilant,” said a warning sent out by the city on Tuesday.
During full and new moons, tides are stronger because the alignment of the sun and moon pinches the earth, creating a stronger gravitational pull. In fall, seasonal elements also contribute to tides as waters warmed during the summer expand and the Gulf Stream current slows, causing more water to accumulate along the Florida coast.
That means light to moderate flooding in coastal areas, including on land along roads bordering Lake Worth Lagoon and the Intracoastal Waterway. The cities of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach have also sent out alerts to residents warning of the riptides.
More: The tide is high and getting higher and higher and higher
High tide times at Lake Worth Pier over the next few days are: Wednesday, September 18, 9:01 p.m.; Thursday, September 19, 9:31 a.m. and 9:49 p.m.; and Friday, September 20, 10:24 a.m. and 10:39 a.m.
Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami who monitors tides on Virginia Key, said the moon will be at perigee – its closest approach to Earth – on Sept. 18 this month. But spring tides can occur days before the full moon and days after. Weather, including strong easterly winds that push water into bays, and heavy rains can also make spring tides worse.
More: Experts say climate change is causing record flooding during spring tides
Other spring tide dates this fall include the days surrounding the full moons of October 17 and November 15.
According to NOAA, which issues spring tide forecasts, flood events have increased due to rising sea levels, nearly doubling since 2000. It is even worse in the southeastern United States, where the number of flood days has increased by more than 400 to 1,100 percent compared to 2000.
However, sea levels do not rise as evenly as water in a bathtub, and depending on external influences such as currents, wind and waves, there may be fewer spring tide floods in some years.
Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate, weather and the environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to [email protected]. Support our local journalism, subscribe today
