California’s coastline is bracing for some of the highest tides in decades as King Tides roll in through Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026. These extreme tides, caused by the alignment of the sun, moon, and Earth, are coinciding with a powerful Pacific storm, creating a recipe for coastal flooding and dramatic surf.
According to the National Weather Service, the Bay Area faces the greatest risk Saturday morning, with water levels forecast to rise up to 2.5 feet above normal, and a worst-case scenario of 2.7 feet in some locations — just shy of the 1983 record of 2.8 feet.
Strong southerly winds could add 1.3 feet of storm surge, pushing water onto roads, parks, and neighborhoods near tidal waterways…