Extremes in Tides to Arrive on Weekend

Beachcombers who enjoy exploring the ocean’s edge will have the benefit of extremely low afternoon tides this weekend, while those who like to see the waves creep in will have ample opportunity as unusually high tides occur.

An unusual alignment of the Earth and moon, the first in 17 years, will produce the highest and lowest tides of the winter season this weekend, peaking on Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

No high surf or damage to structures is expected during high tide unless an unexpected storm comes up, forecaster Wilbur Shigehara said. However, beach walkers should use caution along the shore during high tide because of rough waters.

“We have two occurrences which will tug on the tides,� Shigehara said. The Earth and the moon will be at their closest to each other in 17 years, during what is known as the perigee of the moon’s orbit. The moon’s gravitational pull will produce the “perigean� tides.

The tides will also be affected by what is known as syzygy--the alignment of the Earth, moon and sun, Shigehara said. The combined effect of perigee and syzygy is what scientists call proxigee.

What it means to just about everyone else is that there will be very low tides in the afternoon and very high tides in the morning.

The tides will begin rising today and peak on Sunday. High tide will reach 7.2 feet at 6:55 a.m. today. Tides will rise to 7.6 feet at 7:37 a.m. Saturday, 7.8 feet at 8:20 a.m. Sunday, and 7.7 feet at 9:05 a.m. Monday.

A low tide of -1.3 feet will occur at 2:03 p.m. today, followed by -1.8 at 2:49 p.m. on Saturday and -2.0 at 3:37 p.m. on Sunday, then increase to -1.9 at 4:25 p.m. Monday.

On the weather front, the Santa Ana condition that has hovered over San Diego this week is expected to dissipate this weekend, leaving behind fair and sunny weather, Shigehara said. But a weak Santa Ana will return Monday and Tuesday, he said.

Temperatures at the beach will range from 63 to 67 today and Saturday, falling a degree or two Sunday, he said. The water temperature is 62 degrees, with surf at 1 to 3 feet, which will rise to 2 to 4 feet Sunday.

Coastal temperatures are expected to range from 67 to 73 today and 66 to 71 over the weekend. Nighttime lows will be 42 to 52.

Inland areas will have temperatures of 73 to 80 today, 71 to 77 Saturday, with a degree or two decrease on Sunday. Lows will be 40 to 55.

The mercury in the mountains will rise to 55 to 60 today and Saturday, thne fall by a couple of degrees Sunday, Shigehara said. Lows will be 25 to 34 tonight, 27 to 35 this weekend.

Desert highs will be 72 to 77 today and Saturday, decreasing slightly Sunday. Lows will be 38 to 48, gradually rising to 42 to 52 over the weekend.