Residual Tide

[Slipkiller2]

I was checking the tides at NOAA and found the Predicted and Actual. Can someone explain to me what the Residual means?

http://tidesonline.nos.noaa.gov/plot..., +TX+&flag=0

[MiVelero]

Slipkiller2,
I believe or rather it is the difference between actual and predicted .
blue - predicted
red- observed
green- difference
Remember that tide tables are not 100% accurate, the actual tide depends on many other factors, mainly wind.
Here with a N wind for the past two days we have been at least 2 ft below predicted tides.

[sailhog]

I believe MiVelero has it right. My understanding is that the momentum of the tidal surge often causes the current to continue to ebb or flood after it's technically supposed to have changed.

[CapnHand]

I thought it was the detergent that's left in your laundry after the spin cycle.

[sailhog]

Originally Posted by CapnHand

I thought it was the detergent that's left in your laundry after the spin cycle.

Whoa! I stand corrected. Just looked it up in Royces, and Capnhand is right!

[Slipkiller2]

Originally Posted by MiVelero

Slipkiller2,
I believe or rather it is the difference between actual and predicted .
blue - predicted
red- observed
green- difference
Remember that tide tables are not 100% accurate, the actual tide depends on many other factors, mainly wind.
Here with a N wind for the past two days we have been at least 2 ft below predicted tides.

MiVelero,

Thanks that makes sense.

Yea, that North wind has really been blowing and my keel's in the mud.