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Environment agency SEPA has issued an alert of coastal flooding for the Western Isles.

The incoming tide is regularly rising higher than normal this year due to the sun and moon and other planets coming into line and creating a combine stronger than average gravitational pull on the oceans.

2015 is the peak of a 19 year tidal cycle and this weekend will see a series of extreme big tides.

It also means low tides will go out further than expected.

In calm conditions the sea could rise about a foot higher than usual.

Though dubbed “super tides,” the Western Isles has experienced even higher sea levels during a series of storm surges this winter.

This weekend, a passing low pressure system coupled with strong onshore winds could push sea levels higher than forecast.  

Sepa said: “A period of unusually high tides combined with a moderate surge and waves, is expected to affect the Western Isles coast over Sunday and Monday.

“The greatest risk is around high water times, which will vary locally.

“On Sunday morning these are generally around 8am.

“There is potential for minor disruption to low lying coastal area vulnerable to inundation from high sea levels, and there may be some localised wave impacts such as spray and wave overtopping to exposed infrastructure and communities.”

The impact of the bigger high tides coupled with heavy rainfall has already resulted in localised flooded areas around low-lying coastal fields in the Western Isles this week.

As the phenomenon means the outgoing tide is lower than average, a number of local ferries have been forced to alter timetables due to less water depth in port.

 

 

Rare high tides sparks flood alert  

20 February 2015