09 March 2016 Most parts of Tonga are likely to encounter extreme high tides of over 1.85 meters at around 9:08am and 10:00am on Friday and Saturday (11 and 12 March 2016) respectively. Members of the public, occupants of low lying coastal areas and boat owners are advised to take extra precaution to minimize the effects of potential sea flooding. Areas that are prone to and have a history of experiencing sea flooding associated with extreme high tides in the past are most at risk to the negative impacts.
Tides are the rise and fall in the sea level caused mainly by the gravitational pull of the moon as it revolves around the earth and to some extent are a result of the gravitational pull of the sun and rotation of the earth around the sun. Extreme high tides are a normal occurrence and are likely to occur in the Pacific especially during the months from November to March when the earth is closest to the sun in its annual orbit.
The Met Office will issue extreme high tide advisories in its routine weather bulletins this Thursday and Friday for low lying coastal areas of Tonga.
ENDS
For further information please contact the Meteorology Division on 35355 or metstaff@met.gov.to. More information is also available at www.met.gov.to