The Atlantic coast is preparing to experience an exceptional event between Sunday March 10 and Wednesday March 13, with the high equinox tides, the most powerful of the season.
The alignment of the Earth, the Moon and the Sun causes this rise in water levels which is likely to be spectacular along the coast and in areas where rivers are subject to this influence.
The Atlantic maritime prefecture therefore calls for the greatest caution for the start of the week.
The coefficients expected from Sunday morning are remarkable.
From 90 onwards, we are already talking about
“high tide”
.
Six meters
But the coefficient on Sunday morning will be 104, and will reach its maximum during high seas on Monday evening and Tuesday morning: up to 116 in Bayonne (5:30 p.m. Monday and 5:50 a.m. Tuesday) and in La Rochelle (5:39 p.m. Monday and 5:56 a.m. Tuesday), and even 117 in Bordeaux (8:38 p.m. Monday and 8:57 a.m. Tuesday).
The phenomenon will continue until high water on Wednesday evening (coefficient 106).
The authorities expect strong currents with each time a rapid rise in water levels and significant swells, which increases the risks for walkers and sailors.
The height of the ocean will reach almost its maximum, around six meters, for almost four days.
Some observers go so far as to speak of the
“high tides of the decade”
.
Vigicrues announces overflows during the next high tides in the Verdon-sur-Mer sector, in the Gironde estuary, as well as a flood of the Adour (Bayonne).
Overflows are also feared on the quays of Bordeaux, which are regularly flooded during high tides.
In Charente-Maritime, the phenomenon could affect areas located up to 18 kilometers from the ocean coast.
For its part, the Channel and North Sea maritime prefecture calls for the greatest caution on all people who travel to impacted areas, where the coefficient is expected to reach 116 next Tuesday.