Neap Tide

A period in the astronomical tidal cycle when the range between successive high and low waters is relatively small.

Neaps generally occur near the Moon’s first and third quarter, when lunar and solar tide-generating effects are partly opposed. Local geography, shallow-water constituents and timing mean the smallest observed range need not coincide exactly with the lunar phase.

Neap tides usually produce less extreme predicted high and low waters and often weaker tidal streams than springs, but the relationship is not uniform. Weather, river flow and local channel effects can dominate actual height or current.