Bay Area Braces for Another High Tide Flooding

Coastal flood advisory issued as large waves and minor storm surge expected to inundate low-lying areas

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:39pm by Ben Kaplan

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The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory for parts of the Bay Area, including San Francisco, San Pablo, and Monterey bays, as high tides, large waves, and minor storm surge are expected to cause flooding in low-lying areas through Sunday. While not expected to be as widespread as the damaging early January king tides, officials warn of possible isolated road closures and advise people not to drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth.

Why it matters

Coastal flooding is an increasing concern in the Bay Area due to rising sea levels and more extreme weather events. While this weekend's flooding is not predicted to be as severe as the early January incident, it highlights the need for ongoing preparation and mitigation efforts to protect vulnerable communities and infrastructure.

The details

The National Weather Service is forecasting up to 1.4 feet of inundation, more than a foot lower than the early January record flooding. Saturday's high tide in San Francisco is predicted to peak around 9:30 a.m. at 1.4 feet above normal, while Sunday's high tide at 10:22 a.m. is expected to be 1.3 feet above normal. The astronomical component of this weekend's tides won't be as high as the January king tides, as the sun and moon were closer to Earth at that time, enhancing the gravitational pull. Storm surge is also predicted to be less than half a foot, compared to the foot of storm surge that added to the early January flooding.

  • The coastal flood advisory is in effect through noon on Sunday, January 29, 2026.
  • Saturday's high tide in San Francisco is predicted to peak around 9:30 a.m.
  • Sunday's high tide in San Francisco is predicted to peak around 10:22 a.m.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather-related advisories and warnings.

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What’s next

Officials will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on any road closures or other impacts from the high tide flooding.

The takeaway

While this weekend's high tide flooding is not expected to be as severe as the earlier January event, it serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat of coastal flooding in the Bay Area due to rising sea levels and extreme weather. Residents and local authorities must remain vigilant and continue to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of these events.