Tonight, people all over the globe will have the opportunity to witness a unique celestial occurrence known as a Super Blue Moon. This event signifies the peak of the moon's size and brightness for the entire year.
Nonetheless, cautionary statements from specialists have indicated that this phenomenon might have adverse effects on our planet. The supermoon has the potential to elevate tides beyond their usual levels, coinciding with the imminent approach of Hurricane Idalia towards the western coast of Florida.
Brian Haines, the leading meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Charleston, South Carolina, remarked, 'I would say the timing is pretty bad for this one.'
At 21:35pm ET tonight, the moon will reach its closest proximity to Earth, coinciding with the anticipated landfall of Hurricane Idalia in Florida.
While capturing magnificent shots of famous landmarks worldwide, a supermoon's amplified gravitational force also leads to higher tides.
This phenomenon is expected to exacerbate tidal flooding not only in Florida but also in neighboring states like Georgia and South Carolina. Residents in Charleston have been advised by Haines' office that certain areas could be submerged by Wednesday night.
According to Kerry Emanuel, an atmospheric science professor emeritus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, when the moon is full, it aligns with the sun to intensify tides beyond their usual levels.
Since the moon's gravitational influence is even stronger at its closest distance to Earth, the resulting tides are even higher.
During hurricanes, the surge of water triggered by the storm poses the most significant threat to life.
In its recent briefings, the National Hurricane Center has projected that ocean water could inundate parts of Florida's west coast with heights of up to 15 feet (4.6 meters).
Similarly, the Tampa Bay area is anticipated to experience storm surges reaching up to seven feet (2.1 meters).
It is a common concern with powerful hurricanes that the storm surge can surpass human height.
The combination of tides and the impact of a supermoon has the potential to slightly amplify these surges.
'There's a saying that you hide from the wind and run from the water, and hopefully, people are heeding that advice,' said Brian Tang, associate professor of atmospheric science at the University at Albany in New York.
The vulnerable region in northwest Florida, which is in the path of Hurricane Idalia, is susceptible to the impact of storm surges due to its unique geographical characteristics.
The elongated continental shelf that extends from the coast, coupled with its gentle incline, enables the ocean to rise higher as hurricane-force winds propel the water toward the land, as noted by Tang.
Watching the video below:
