Understanding tidal and current patterns is essential for various coastal activities, from fishing and boating to beachcombing and coastal development. Tide tables and charts, which predict the timing and height of tides at specific locations, are indispensable tools for anyone planning activities along the coast.
Most coastal areas have tide and current charts you can look at for predictions on when strong currents will arise, as well as when high and low tide are changing. Despite the charts, it is still wise to be mindful and aware of the water and how it is moving because the charts are only predictions. The coasts of the South Carolina Lowcountry experience a tidal change about every six hours with two high tides and two low tides a day.
Tides move up and down and are pulled by the gravitational pull of the moon. The pull of the moon causes bulges in the ocean’s surface as it orbits around the Earth. These bulges result in high tides where the water level rises and low tides when it recedes. The sun also plays a small role. When the gravitational forces of the sun and moon align during a full or new moon, a spring tide is created, which is an extremely high high tide. When the sun and moon are at right angles to each other during the first and third quarters of the lunar cycle, extremely low tides are created called neap tides.
Currents move left and right and are moved by wind, tides, and thermohaline circulation. Thermohaline circulation is a process driven by density difference caused by temperature and salinity in different parts of the ocean. Thermohaline currents occur at deep and shallow water level and move slower than other currents. Tidal currents are created by tide change and are the only currents that move in a regular pattern and can be predicted. Rip currents are narrow, strong, and localized currents that move directly away from shore by cutting through breaking waves. Rip tides are very strong and fast currents that occur when the tide is pulling out. Rip tides and rip currents can be very dangerous so it is important to watch out for them.
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