KING TIDES: What’s expected this weekend

(December 25 reader photo of high-tide aftermath on Alki promenade)

The next round of “king tides” – the year’s highest high tides – peaks in the next several days, and low atmospheric pressure could mean higher water levels than predicted. First, here’s what the tide tables predict for our area:

Saturday: 12.8 feet, 5:51 am
Sunday: 12.9 feet, 6:30 am
Monday: 13.0 feet, 7:08 am
Tuesday: 12.9 feet, 7:43 am
Wednesday: 12.8 feet, 8:17 am

WSB reader Lura points out that atmospheric conditions can push the water levels higher than predicted – see the red line on this chart, for example – and she notes that if forecast conditions bear out, that could mean 14-foot high tides ahead. The National Weather Service has a Coastal Flood Advisory alert for 4 am-8 am Saturday; along the Duwamish River, the city says “… river overtopping is not forecasted. However, significant street flooding in the industrial area of South Park is expected on the mornings of Saturday, January 3rd and Sunday, January 4th.”

Beach Dr Resident January 4, 2026 (9:23 am)

Is the forecast for the red/observed water level available somewhere? All the tide chart websites I’ve seen just have the astronomical tide forecast. Where did Lura get that 14′ from?

WSB January 4, 2026 (10:25 am)

Reply

We have a link on our weather page (updated after a recent URL change).

David R January 4, 2026 (11:39 am)

Just wondering, does anyone have news on how the observed high-water mark compared?

Actualperson January 4, 2026 (2:34 pm)

NOAA is the official provider of tide data. Actual high (or low) numbers come after the fact as barometric pressure (high or low) and winds at the time of high or low do affect the actual numbers. They do their best to predict but until it’s over we won’t know the final number. What I don’t know is where they take their official numbers.