A full moon is passing close to earth, exerting a greater gravitational pull and creating higher tides than usual, just as the storm is forecast to push more water ashore.
Hurricane Idalia will amplify what were already expected to be higher-than-usual high tides in Savannah, Ga., and Charleston, S.C., because the full moon is making its closest orbital pass to Earth, a rare phenomenon sometimes known as a ‘supermoon.’
A supermoon — this one is doubly rare because it a blue moon, or the second full moon in a month — makes for a spectacle in the night sky, an outsized glowing globe, but it also exerts a stronger gravitational pull, making tides higher, just as the storm is forecast to push a surge of water ashore.
Charleston Harbor is now forecast to reach 8.7 feet, the seventh highest tide on record, if it occurs, said Brian Haines, the meteorologist in charge at the Charleston Weather Office
Even if the tide reaches eight feet, it would land among the top 50 highest tides, and given the extensive historical record in Charleston, “it’s pretty impressive,” said Mr.
