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Astronomical Low Tide

NOAA Storm Events type · 793 records since 1997 · 27 states and territories

The National Weather Service defines astronomical low tide as: "Abnormal, or extremely low tide levels, that result in deaths, injuries, watercraft damage, or significant economic impact due to low water levels." NOAA's Storm Events Database holds 793 astronomical low tide records from 1997 through June 30, 2026, the most in Louisiana (267), with 2 deaths recorded.

How the National Weather Service files astronomical low tide

Abnormal, or extremely low tide levels, that result in deaths, injuries, watercraft damage, or significant economic impact due to low water levels. The low water levels will be a result of, or enhanced by, the gravitational forces of the moon and sun.
National Weather Service Instruction 10-1605, Storm Data Preparation (July 26, 2021), Appendix A, entry 1

Source: National Weather Service Instruction 10-1605. Read the instruction (PDF).

Astronomical Low Tide, 1997 to 2026

Records per year (2026 to June 30, 2026).

  • recorded, no damage figure
  • under $10 million
  • $10 million or more
  • $100 million or more
  • $1 billion or more, or 100 deaths
  • $10 billion or more, or 1,000 deaths
  • a year's colour: its recorded damage or deaths
  • a year with a death
Records
7931997 to June 30, 2026
Deaths
223 injuries
Damage, 2025 dollars
$10Mas filed (scale steps before 1993)
Counties with a record
115of 3,266

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records through June 30, 2026. Search the record at NCEI.

Where do astronomical low tide records happen?

States

  1. Louisiana 267
  2. New Jersey 222
  3. Texas 83
  4. Delaware 68
  5. Pennsylvania 58
  6. California 17
  7. Maryland 15
  8. Florida 15
  9. Washington 8
  10. Virginia 6
  11. Georgia 6
  12. Alaska 5
  13. Tennessee 3
  14. New York 3
  15. North Carolina 3

Counties

  1. Cameron Parish, LA 161
  2. Jefferson County, TX 79
  3. Vermilion Parish, LA 66
  4. Cape May County, NJ 28
  5. Burlington County, NJ 28
  6. St. Mary Parish, LA 27
  7. Philadelphia County, PA 25
  8. Delaware County, PA 25
  9. Salem County, NJ 25
  10. Gloucester County, NJ 25

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (forecast-zone records count on every county the zone covers).

When do astronomical low tide records happen?

61% of its astronomical low tide records since 1997 fell in January and February. The busiest month is January.

The values, month by month

Jan 248 · Feb 236 · Mar 73 · Apr 24 · May 8 · Jun 1 · Jul 5 · Aug 14 · Sep 8 · Oct 9 · Nov 23 · Dec 144 (records).

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, records by the month they began.

The deadliest astronomical low tide records

The astronomical low tide records with the most deaths
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2021-08-01 Astronomical Low TideButte County and 3 more, CA · forecast zone Mt Shasta/Western Plumas County The Dixie Fire began in Butte County in the Feather River Canyon, CA the evening of July 14, 2021 and quickly spread. The fire eventually burned in five counties: Butte, Lassen, Plumas, Shasta and Tehama. This includes the Plumas National Forest, Lassen National Forest, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. The fire has ... 1 0 –
2014-12-20 Astronomical Low TideGuam, GU · forecast zone Guam A 24 year old man, Kevin Tuttle, was swept into the ocean while hiking on a trail near Marbo Cave in Mangilao. While visiting Guam, the father and the son went hiking together. After a trek to Marbo Cave, the son sat on a nearby cliff to view the ocean. While he was enjoying the view, a wave larger than the others hit ... 1 0 –

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, deaths direct and indirect as filed.

The most recent astronomical low tide records

To June 30, 2026
DateRecordCharacterKilledInjuredDamage
2026-04-27 Astronomical Low TideBroward County, FL · forecast zone Coastal Broward County 0 0 –
2026-03-16 Astronomical Low TideCameron Parish, LA · forecast zone West Cameron 0 0 –
2026-03-16 Astronomical Low TideCameron Parish, LA · forecast zone East Cameron 0 0 –
2026-03-16 Astronomical Low TideVermilion Parish, LA · forecast zone Lower Vermilion Parish 0 0 –
2026-03-16 Astronomical Low TideJefferson County, TX · forecast zone Lower Jefferson County 0 0 –
2026-03-12 Astronomical Low TideVermilion Parish, LA · forecast zone Lower Vermilion Parish 0 0 –
2026-03-12 Astronomical Low TideCameron Parish, LA · forecast zone East Cameron 0 0 –
2026-03-12 Astronomical Low TideCameron Parish, LA · forecast zone West Cameron 0 0 –

Source: NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

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