Heed Advisories, Scientist Warns

Boaters and coastal residents should pay special attention to weather advisories during November and December, when higher than usual tides will occur, a Scripps scientist advises.

The highest tides of the 1989-90 winter season--some up to 7.7 feet--will occur Nov. 10-16 and Dec. 9-15, according to Dr. Reinhard E. Flick, a Scripps Institution of Oceanography oceanographer who also works with the California Department of Boating and Waterways.

Although not considered dangerous by themselves, the high tides combined with a storm or high winds could create hazardous coastal conditions, Flick said.

“Tides are predictable, but storm conditions cannot be predicted with accuracy until at most a few days before the event,” he said. “Beachfront residents and communities should be especially aware of local weather reports during these periods.”

Flick said morning tides in San Diego will peak at 7.7 feet Nov. 13 and Dec. 12.

During recent winters, when higher than average sea levels coincided with coastal storms, some Southern California cities have suffered severe damage.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a warning that the higher than usual tides may add to the threat of coastal flooding and navigation hazards along the Pacific, Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts.