As winter settles over the Pacific Northwest, Ocean Shores’ coastline transforms into a dramatic display of nature’s power. Winter storms and king tides create an awe-inspiring spectacle along the beach, drawing residents and visitors to witness waves reaching higher than any other time of the year. But what exactly causes this winter phenomenon?
The Power of Winter Storms
Winter storms over the Pacific Ocean are especially strong, generating intense winds that push on the surface of the water, creating wind waves. As these waves move away from the storm, they evolve into long, powerful swells. “So you have a strong storm over the Pacific, and it generates a wind wave, and eventually over time, that wave gets further away from the storm and becomes what we call a swell,” explains Petrucelli, an expert in oceanography and wave behavior. By the time these swells reach our coast, they can create massive breakers—high enough to justify high surf advisories.
Understanding King Tides
King tides are the highest tides of the year, typically occurring during the winter months when the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun align to create an extra-pull effect on the Earth’s oceans. This gravitational force, combined with seasonal low-pressure systems, leads to higher-than-usual tides, causing ocean water to reach much further up the beach than expected.
While the regular high tide is influenced by daily gravitational forces, a king tide elevates water levels significantly, especially when combined with winter swells from strong storms. This results in waves that surge up the beach, overtaking the usual shoreline and reshaping the coastal landscape with each cycle.
Winter Surf Conditions and Safety
High surf advisories are common during winter, especially when strong storm-driven swells coincide with king tides. Petrucelli notes, “Upon approaching the beach, large waves can run up on the beach much higher than expected.” Beachgoers should be extra cautious during these times, as the risk of being swept up by a large, unexpected wave is real. Even familiar stretches of beach can quickly become dangerous, as swells can run up much further and faster than usual.
For those who love witnessing nature’s might, watching the winter storms and king tides is a thrilling experience. But safety comes first—observing these massive waves from a distance is crucial to staying safe while enjoying this incredible coastal display.
Predicted Upcoming King Tides
Nov 15 11:33AM 11.0
Nov 16 12:16PM 11.1
Nov 17 1:00PM 10.9
Dec 14 11:09AM 11.0
Dec 15 11:56AM 11.0
Dec 16 12:43PM 10.8
Jan 12 10:55AM 10.5
Jan 13 11:46AM 10.6
Jan 14 12:34PM 10.4
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