A clear sky, calm water and no storm could still bring flooding to some coastal areas in the coming decade. A 2021 NASA-led study warned that high-tide flooding could become far more frequent in the 2030s, as a natural cycle in the Moon’s orbit combines with rising sea levels.
The study does not suggest that the Moon itself is causing sea levels to rise. Instead, its gravitational influence can amplify tides at certain points in its 18.6-year cycle. With oceans already higher because of climate-driven sea-level rise, those stronger tides could push seawater onto roads and other low-lying areas more often.
