King tides are the highest predicted high tides of the year. They occur when the Earth, moon, and sun are aligned, causing the gravitational pull on the Earth’s oceans to be at its strongest. King tides can cause flooding in low-lying coastal areas, and they can also damage infrastructure and property.
In Washington state, king tides are expected to be particularly high in 2024 and 2025. This is because the moon will be closer to the Earth than usual during these years, which will increase the gravitational pull on the oceans. As a result, king tides could cause significant flooding in coastal areas of Washington, including Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia.
