Neap tides occur during the first and third quarter moon, when the moon appears "half full." NOAA's tide and tidal current predictions take into account astronomical considerations due to the position of the moon and the sun.

What Is a neap tide when and why does it occur?

Smaller tides, called neap tides, are formed when the earth, sun and moon form a right angle. This causes the sun and moon to pull the water in two different directions. Neap tides happen during a quarter or three-quarter moon. The width of the shoreline strip that is affected by waves depends on the tidal range.

Does neap tides occur once a month?

During each lunar month, two sets of spring and two sets of neap tides occur. Just as the angles of the sun, moon and Earth affect tidal heights over the course of a lunar month, so do their distances to one another.