A king tide is an especially high spring tide that occurs three or four times a year. It is not a scientific term but is commonly used to describe the highest tides of the year, which happen when the Earth, Moon, and Sun are aligned at points where their gravitational forces combine most strongly. King tides occur around the new and full moons when the Moon is closest to the Earth (perigee) and the Earth is near its closest point to the Sun (perihelion), typically resulting in the largest tidal range of the year. They often take place a few times annually, commonly in winter and summer months, such as January and July. King tides serve as a natural preview of what future tides might look like as sea levels rise over time, often causing unusually high water levels and sometimes flooding in coastal areas.
