Record high tides bringing good surf conditions expected in Top End

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast record high tides for the Top End bringing good surf conditions

TOP End coastal waters will record higher than normal tides over the next few days as the combined astronomical forces of the earth, moon and sun assert control over the natural order.

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has forecast abnormally high tides over the next few days for people in parts of the Tiwi and Arnhem districts, stretching from Van Diemen’s Gulf east to Warruwi in Arnhem Land.

The Bureau (BOM) expects some of the highest astronomical tides of the year will be exceeded over the next few days as coastal waters continue to be affected by the westerly flows from the tropical low that hit the Top End last week. But the driving force will be spring tides caused by the movements of the earth, moon and sun in coming days. BOM forecaster Mosese Raico said spring tides were determined by the relative positioning of the three celestial bodies, their respective orbit and the elliptical impacts.

“When the moon and sun line up and it’s the closest distance to earth it impacts the gravitational force and that determines larger tides,” he said.

Originally published as Record high tides bringing good surf conditions expected in Top End