SEATTLE — If you missed the low-low tides in June for Puget Sound, you have another chance to witness the low tides this week.
Lower than normal tides are forecast through Saturday for Puget Sound. Wednesday and Thursday will feature the lowest tides this week. Tides on these days are expected to be around four feet lower than normal.
Low-low tide schedule this week
- Wednesday: 3.99 feet below normal at 11:06 a.m.
- Thursday: 4.04 feet below normal at 11:55 a.m.
- Friday: 3.63 feet below normal at 12:44 p.m.
- Saturday: 2.77 feet below normal at 1:32 p.m.
On June 15, the tide was 4.28 feet lower than normal and 4.11 feet lower than normal on June 16. That was the lowest tide in 13 years.
Tides are the rising and falling of the ocean largely driven by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun and their relative position to Earth. These tides are considered to be very long waves that move across the Earth's oceans. When the wave is at its highest point reaching the coast, it's high tide. When the wave is at its lowest point reaching the coast, it's low tide.
The low-low tides are expected due to a "wobble" in the moon's orbit.
This wobble is known as a lunar nodal cycle. We are approaching the 2025 peak of the lunar nodal cycle, which will allow for periodic low-low tides, especially during the summer months.
The lower-than-normal tides unveil areas and ecosystems that are normally submerged by the cold, salty Puget Sound waters, providing a unique opportunity for people to check out the tidepools and marine life.
If you want a chance to safely explore the multitude of marine life with the lower tides this week, you can join beach naturalists who are part of the Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalist Program.
Pierce County Beach Naturalist Program is hosting two events this week. On Thursday, Metro Parks Tacoma is inviting families to "tiptoe through the tidepools" at Titlow Beach from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. It's also hosting an Explore the Shore event on Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. around Owen Beach in Tacoma.
This will be a great opportunity for those who are interested in learning more about the diverse, unique ecosystems of Puget Sound while keeping marine life safe from human influences.
Potential impacts of low tide
A spokesperson for Washington State Ferries said in June low tide can cause problems for boats. Ramps on and off the boats can get "very" steep during low tide, the spokesperson said.
Low tide can create a problematic situation at several of Washington State Ferries’ docks. RVs, semi-trucks and people towing trailers might face boarding restrictions during extreme low tide.
The impact is especially great at the ferry terminal in Edmonds because it carries the most freight out of any other route in the system.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is also restricting travel for oversize vehicles on the Edmonds/Kingston and Mukilteo/Clinton routes Wednesday. Oversize vehicles with less than 18" of ground clearance are encouraged to travel before 8:45 a.m. or after 1:00 p.m., according to WSDOT.