Redondo Beach, WA
CATEGORY 2
WHAT No significant flooding expected. Normal tidal conditions anticipated with minor fluctuations.
WHEN Throughout the day on December 30, 2024.
IMPACTS No adverse impacts expected. Coastal areas should experience typical conditions without flooding concerns.
Barometric Pressure: The barometric pressure is 1019.68 hPa, which is significantly higher than the pressures observed during historical flood events. High pressure indicates stable weather conditions, reducing the likelihood of flooding.
Tide Height: The maximum tide height is forecasted to be approximately 18.42 feet at 3:06 PM. While this is higher than some past events categorized as Category 3, it remains below the levels associated with significant flooding, which typically occur with tides over 21 feet.
Wind Conditions: Wind speed is low at 3 mph from the SSE (158 degrees), which is much less than the wind speeds recorded during historical flooding events. Lower wind speeds reduce the potential for storm surge and coastal flooding.
NOAA Flood Likelihood: NOAA indicates a low flood likelihood with a 1.1% chance and a distance to the flood threshold of -1.12 meters. This suggests that tides will remain well below levels that could cause flooding.
Historical Comparison: Compared to the Category 3 event on 12/27/2023, which had a tide height of 17.46 feet and lower barometric pressure, the current conditions present even less risk. The higher barometric pressure and lack of significant wind further reduce the flooding potential.
CATEGORY 3
WHAT Monitoring advised due to higher tide levels. Unlikely to cause flood damage but warrants attention.
WHEN Highest risk around 6:30 AM on December 31, 2024.
IMPACTS Minimal impacts expected. Low-lying areas should remain alert for any minor water accumulation.
Barometric Pressure: The barometric pressure at the time of high tide is 1015.07 hPa. While slightly lower than the previous day, it is still considerably higher than pressures associated with significant flooding events.
Tide Height: The tide is expected to reach approximately 20.25 feet at 6:30 AM, which is higher than the Category 3 event on 12/27/2023 and approaching levels seen during Category 4 events. Elevated tide height increases the need for monitoring.
Wind Conditions: Wind speeds are very low at 1 mph from the SE (136 degrees). Such low wind speeds are not sufficient to contribute to coastal flooding.
NOAA Flood Likelihood: NOAA reports a low flood likelihood with a 2.0% chance and a distance to the flood threshold of -0.99 meters. This indicates tides are closer to the threshold but still below critical levels.
Historical Comparison: Though the tide height is nearing that of past Category 4 events, the higher barometric pressure and lack of significant wind reduce the risk. The conditions are similar to the sample forecast reasoning where a Category 3 was assigned under comparable circumstances.
CATEGORY 3
WHAT Elevated tides with higher flood likelihood. Unlikely to cause major property damage but should be watched closely.
WHEN Highest tide expected at 6:54 AM on January 1, 2025.
IMPACTS Potential for minor flooding in low-lying coastal areas. Residents should stay informed and prepared for possible minor water intrusion.
Barometric Pressure: The barometric pressure is 1022.44 hPa during high tide, indicating stable conditions and lowering the risk of severe weather-induced flooding.
Tide Height: The maximum tide height is forecasted at approximately 20.40 feet at 6:54 AM. This is similar to Day 2 and below the 21-foot level typically associated with higher flood risks.
Wind Conditions: Wind speeds remain low at 2 mph from the East (97 degrees). Minimal wind impact reduces the chance of storm surge contributing to flooding.
NOAA Flood Likelihood: NOAA indicates a high flood likelihood with a 5.0% chance and a distance to the flood threshold of -0.76 meters. While the likelihood percentage is higher, the actual tide levels are still below the critical threshold.
Historical Comparison: Despite the increased NOAA flood likelihood, other factors such as high barometric pressure and low wind speeds suggest that significant flooding is unlikely. Compared to historical events, the conditions align with a Category 3 classification, where monitoring is recommended but major impacts are not expected.
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.