Tides are constantly changing throughout the day and it is important to understand the basics of how to read a tide table in order to optimize your beach or boating activities. Tide tables provide information about the times, heights and directions of tides in an area. Knowing these elements helps you make informed decisions about when is the best time to visit a beach or dock a boat. This article provides an overview of the type of information found in a tide table and the basic steps to read a tidal chart.
Understanding a Tide Table
What is a Tide Table?
A tide table is a chart or table that lists tidal events in a given area. It indicates times of high and low tides, tidal currents, and times of slack tides. These times can vary from area to area, so it is important to know what tide table is relevant to your own location.
Elements of a Tide Table
A tide table can be divided into two main parts: the astronomical section, which is determined by the position of the Moon and Sun and the wind and atmospheric pressure section, which is determined by the atmosphere. The astronomical part of a tide table will usually include tide height, time of high tide, time of low tide and time of rising tide. Generally, the time of high tide occurs twice ever 24 hours, while the time of low tide frequently occurs four times every 24 hours. The other part of the tide table is the wind and atmospheric pressure section. This section includes the times and height of the surges, which is mainly the result of onshore and offshore wind.
How to interpret the Tide Table
When reading a tide table, it is important to interpret the complex data and decide what it means for you. The tidal range, which is the difference between the high and low tides, is a good first step to understanding the information. The greater the tidal range usually means more favorable conditions for ventures such as boating and kayaking. The other element of the tide table that should be examined is the wave height. If the wave height is greater than the tidal range, then that means there could be a higher risk of unsafe conditions when out at sea.
Additional Considerations
Other Factors Influencing Tides
While reading and understanding the information in a tide table is incredibly helpful for knowing the tides, there are other factors that should also be taken into consideration. Temperature, air pressure, and geography can also affect tides. Areas with narrow, shallow bays tend to have a different tide pattern than other areas due to the restricted water flow. Similarly, large storms can also temporarily change the tides. Taking these external conditions into consideration, in addition to the tide table, can help make sure that you have an enjoyable experience out in the water.
Types of Tide Tables
Additionally, tide tables can vary in accuracy and the amount of data that is provided. For example, an online tide table will usually provide tidally accurate times for a certain location but does not include information about wave height or surge. When using an electronic tide table, it is important to double-check the accuracy of the data. On the other hand, paper tide tables usually come from independent sources and provide more complete sets of data. Learning how to read different types of tide tables will help you make the most out of each outing.
People Also Ask
How can I find a tide table?
You can find a tide table online, on a specific area’s local news websites, in a phone app, or in paper pamphlet format from a local marina.
What are the primary factors that influence the tides?
Primary factors that influence tides include the gravitational forces from the Moon and the Sun and atmospheric conditions such as wind and air pressure.
How often do tides change?
Tides usually change twice per day, however the exact times can vary from area to area.
What is the difference between a tidal range and wave height?
The tidal range is the height difference between high and low tides, while the wave height is the size and strength of the waves.
What is the best time of day to go to the beach?
The best time to go to the beach is generally when the tide is coming in since this is when there is greater water coverage.
Final Words
Successfully reading a tide table can be a great way to understand the changes in tides in a given area. Knowing the tidal range, time of high and low tides, and wave height are essential for making a great beach or boat experience. Ultimately, the most important steps one can take is to check the tide table for their own area and be prepared for any external changes to the tide.