King Tides Explode in La Jolla, Cause Minor Flooding in National City

A period of “king tides” is bringing high surf to San Diego beaches for Thanksgiving — and also minor coastal flooding in National City.

The National Weather Service office in San Diego said elevated surf with sets from 6 to 7 feet will combine with morning high tides of 6.5 to 7 feet through Friday.

The thigh tide caused flooding Tuesday morning in the 100 block of West 18th Street along Paradise Creek in National City. Businesses had their entrances and parking lots flooded.

Imperial Beach may also experience flooding during the king tide period.

The tides and surf will create dangerous swimming conditions with increased risk of strong rip currents.

While “king tide” isn’t a scientific term, it is used to describe an especially high tide event, when there is alignment of the gravitational pull between sun and moon. Higher than normal tides typically occur during a new or full moon and when the moon is at its perigee.

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7.2-foot-high king tides slam into the sea wall at the Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Photo by Chris Stone

Seals move away from waves crashing into the sea wall at the Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Photo by Chris Stone

Sea water shoots into the air along the La Jolla shore at high tide during king tides. Photo by Chris Stone

A swimmer braves a churning sea as king tide waves crash into La Jolla Cove. Photo by Chris Stone

Sea lions lie along the coast as king tide waves slam into the coast in La Jolla. Photo by Chris Stone

Tourists line up by La Jolla Cove to watch king tide waves and sea lions. Photo by Chris Stone

Swimmers at La Jolla Cove are greeted by waves crashing into the stairway to the beach. Photo by Chris Stone

King tide waves crash into shore at La Jolla. Photo by Chris Stone

King tide waves hit the shore at Windansea Beach. Photo by Chris Stone

Here are the next king tides and height:

• 9:26 a.m. Wednesday (7.1 feet)
• 10:17 a.m Thursday (6.8)
• 6:38 a.m. Dec. 23 (6.8)
• 7:17 a.m. Dec. 24 (7.0)
• 7:55 a.m. Dec. 25 (7.0)
• 10:10 a.m. Dec. 26 (6.9)
• 7:31 a.m. Jan. 9 (6.8)
• 8:10 a.m. Jan. 10 (7.0)
• 8:51 a.m. Jan. 11 (7.1)
• 9:34 a.m. Jan. 12 (6.9)