Tree aloes are showing off already, high and low tides peak this week

Tree Aloes, the familiar succulent plants with red-hot-pokerlike flower clusters, are at their blooming best in January, but are showing off already around town. Large clumps of aloes can be seen at La Jolla Cove, at Mission San Diego de Alcalá, and scattered along the embankments overlooking Highway 163 in Balboa Park.

Exceptionally High and Low Tides are set to occur on several days in mid-December. on several days in mid-December. On Tuesday, December 12, a peak high tide of +6.96 feet occurs at 8:01 am. Wednesday’s high tide of +7.12 peaks at 8:39 am. Thursday’s high tide of +7.09 feet peaks at 9:19 am. If a strong winter storm happens to arrive from the west during these peak tides, some flooding of low-lying coastal areas around San Diego is likely. Several exceptionally low tides will also occur within the same string of mid-December dates. On Tuesday, December 12, the tide falls to -1.21 feet at 3:20 pm. On Wednesday, the tide drops to -1.35 feet at 4:02 pm. On Thursday, an equally low tide level of -1.35 feet occurs at 4:46 pm (very near the time of sunset). Any of these low tide occasions are perfect for exploring marine life in the tidepool areas along San Diego County’s coastline.

A winter low tide in Ocean Beach

The Geminid meteor shower is the most active shower of the year, and it will peak from the night of December 13 into the morning of December 14. The show should start as early as 9 pm, and peak around 2 am. Expect to see an average of 50 meteors per hour and up to 75 at the peak. Also, with the New Moon on December 12th, the Moon will be a young waxing crescent on the night of the 13th, so it will be a dark (and therefore optimal) night for viewing.