Fall King Tides drive multiday flood threat spanning 500 miles from Miami to Charleston
Seasonal King Tides will drive a multiday flood threat spanning 500 miles from Miami to Charleston.
Tropical moisture soaking Florida, with King Tides driving coastal flood risk
Florida is facing a weekend of heavy rain, with the highest rain totals expected throughout the southeastern side of the state. Some flooding is possible, especially in coastal areas already facing fall King Tides, which don't allow water to retreat from the coast. Get the forecast:
THE TAKEAWAY
- Seasonal King Tides will drive a multiday flood threat spanning 500 miles from Miami to Charleston.
- Rain starts Friday and holds through at least Tuesday.
- Totals between 3 and 5 inches of rain are possible across South Florida.
The Sunshine State is facing a weekend of wet weather as days of heavy downpours combined with King Tides increase the chance of coastal flooding.
This King Tide event is set to bring days of elevated tide cycles, leading to coastal flooding from Miami to Charleston.
Florida started the year in a state of extreme drought. Now, the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor shows significant improvement across the state, after a very wet summer and early start to fall.
A stream of tropical moisture funneling into Florida is adding to the recent abundance of moisture, bringing a localized flooding risk.
The FOX Forecast Center said the moisture comes from an upper-level low forming near Cuba that combines with an area of high pressure off the East Coast.
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Fort Lauderdale residents navigate some water-filled roadways amid the king tides on Sept. 26, 2022, along Southeast Second Street. (Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel/Tribune News Service / Getty Images)
This moisture is expected to bring widespread 3 to 5 inches of rain across South Florida into early next week.
Rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are possible, putting the area under a level 1 out of 4 flash flood risk on Saturday, with a smaller area under a level 2 threat on Sunday into Monday.
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The level 1 out of 4 threat will remain in effect through Tuesday, the FOX Forecast Center said.
To make matters worse, the seasonal King Tides that have plagued the state this week are keeping coastal waters elevated.
Persistent, gusty winds of 20 to 25 mph will push water inland, keeping minor-to-moderate coastal flooding in play during peak high tides into the weekend.
A Miami Shores public works employee works in the rain on Nov. 5, 2021, clearing drains and pumping floodwater in the Shores Estates neighborhood along Northeast 105th Street in Miami Shores. (Miami Herald / Getty Images)
A King tide is the highest naturally occurring high tide of the year. Even on clear, sunny days with no storm in sight, these extra-high seasonal tides push seawater back up through storm drains and onto coastal streets, the FOX Forecast Center said.
Stick with FOX Weather as we continue to bring you the latest forecast on Florida flash flooding and King Tides.