Closest supermoon set for today – watch for spring tide

The closest supermoon in almost 70 years is set to occur today (Monday), being the second of three supermoons in a row.

A supermoon this close to Earth won’t occur again until 2034, NASA said. However, if you do miss this one, the next supermoon takes place on 14 December.

In a news alert on Thursday, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) warned of a spring tide as a result, urging “extreme caution” in the process.

The NSRI has warned of rip currents and a stronger than normal spring tide as a result of the supermoon

“The monthly Full Moon Spring Tide peaks on the Full Moon on Monday 14th of November and the effects of this Spring Tide on the coastline begins today (Thursday), peaks on the 14th November and will continue to affect the coastline into the later half of next week,” the NSRI wrote.

“This Super Moon will have a marginally greater affect on the Spring High and Low Tides making them more prominent than normal and hence extreme caution is advised because rip currents around the coastline will be stronger than the normal spring tide effects on the coastline.”

The NSRI said that you can expect rough sea conditions, stronger than normal rip currents, higher than normal high tides and lower than normal low tides.

Preparing to take photos of the supermoon? NASA’s senior photographer has some tips for you…

Featured image: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center/Clare Skelly