Definitions of tidal levels and other parameters

Latitude, longitude and grid reference

The latitude of a point on the earth is its angular distance north or south of the equator, and the longitude is its
angular distance east or west of the Greenwich meridian (in degrees). The grid reference of the same location
is expressed as eastings and northings (distance in metres from an origin located south-west of the Scilly Isles)
on the British National Grid used by the Ordnance Survey in its mapping of Great Britain.
The location referred to is of the measuring point, which can either be a pressure point or stilling well. In
some instances the measuring point may be located at a slightly different location to that of the
instrumentation. If there is a significant difference in the location of the two latitudes then the position of the
measuring point will also be shown.
Earliest data
This is the earliest record found of a tide gauge being in operation at the site. The charts obtained from the tide
gauge may still be held by the operating authority that was responsible at the time, or they may be archived in
the local authority's archives or by the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC), and may have been
digitised to form a continuous data set together with data obtained from electronic dataloggers.
Data from early gauges may have been lost, be incomplete or have gaps due to changes in ownership over the
years.Before the UK Tide Gauge Network (Tide Gauge Inspectorate) was established in 1976, calibration and
maintenance of the gauges were the responsibility of the operating authority. Therefore the accuracy of the
data may be unknown.
Further information may be available in the site histories.
HAT - Highest astronomical tide
LAT - Lowest astronomical tide
Highest astronomical tide (HAT) is the highest level, and Lowest astronomical tide (LAT) the lowest level
that can be expected to occur under average meteorological conditions and under any combination of
astronomical conditions. HAT and LAT are not extreme levels, as certai meteorological conditions can cause
a higher or lower level, respectively. The level under these circumstances is known as a 'storm
surge' ('negative surge' in the case of level lower than LAT). HAT and LAT are determined by inspecting
predicted sea levels over a number of years.

Note
The value of HAT and LAT may not have the same value as other reference sources. The value given in any
source is dependent on the years of inspection, the period which the inspection covered and the exact location
and calibration of the tide gauge used. The values listed here have been produced from predictions over a 19
year period from 1996 to 2015 with the gauges being maintained and calibrated to a uniform standard by the
Tide Gauge Inspectorate at Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory.
MHWS - Mean high water springs
MLWS - Mean low water springs
The height of mean high water springs is the average throughout the year (when the average maximium
declination of the moon is 23.5 ) of two successive high waters during those periods of 24 hours when the
range of the tide is at its greatest. The height of the mean low water springs is the average height obtained by
the two successive low waters during the same period.
MHWN - Mean high water neaps
MLWN - Mean low water neaps
The height of mean high water neaps is the average throughout the year (when the average maximium
declination of the moon is 23.5 ) of two successive high waters during those periods of 24 hours when the
range of the tide is at its least. The height of the mean low water neaps is the average height obtained by the
two successive low waters during the same period.

Note
The values of MHWS, MLWS, MHWN and MLWN vary from year to year with a cycle of approximately
18.6 years.
Page 1 of 2 Definitions of tidal levels and other parameters
10/10/2012 http://www.pol.ac.uk/ntslf/tgi/definitions.html
Mean spring & neap ranges
The mean spring range is the difference between mean high water springs (MHWS) and mean low water
springs (MLWS). The mean neap range is the difference between mean high water neaps (MHWN) and mean
low water neaps (MLWN).
Highest & lowest levels
The highest and lowest tides shown for the particular years is an indication of the maximium levels under
average meteorological conditions which can be expected during that year.
The indicated levels have been calculated from predictions over a 19 year period from 1996 to 2015. Note that
the absolute tidal levels for this period will be classified as HAT and LAT. No further dates have been given
in the years since tidal levels of the same amplitude may occur in the spring, autumn and on more than one
occasion.
Page 2 of 2 Definitions of tidal levels and other parameters
10/10/2012 http://www.pol.ac.uk/ntslf/tgi/definitions.html