A question about Bay tides
M.J. Dunlap writes with the following question about tides in the Chesapeake Bay:
"Out of curiosity, can you explain why the water levels in the Bay are so low? Is it because of the severe winds? In the Chesapeake Beach/ Deale area the water looks to be about 4-5 feet below the normal lows. In some places, like Rose Haven, it looks like the Bay receded 100'. I can't remember seeing it like this in the last 5 years I've lived down here. Thanks."
I don't have a ready answer for her. We're a week past the full moon and another week short of the new moon. The winds are out of the southwest now, so that shouldn't be pushing water out of the bay the way a northwest wind would. I can't even find any dramatically low tides on the area tide gauges.
So, I'm stumped. Has anyone else out there noted very low tides in recent days? Can anyone explain them? If so, leave a comment and enlighten us all.
Categories: Ask Mr. Weatherblogger
