Western Washington fell victim to a double whammy of king tides and heavy rainfall Tuesday morning, which led to lowland flooding from Anacortes to Olympia.

King tides are a nonscientific term to describe exceptionally high tides, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

It’s the highest predicted tide of the year and is above the highest water level that’s reached during high tide on average, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Tides, which are long-period waves that roll around Earth, are influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun.

That means higher than normal tides typically occur during the new or full moon, which is when the moon, sun and Earth are nearly in alignment.

However, the next full moon isn't for another 10 days.

However, the next full moon isn't for another 10 days.

However, the tides are even higher when the moon is at its perigee, which means it’s closest to Earth in its monthly orbit.

When this happens, it’s called a perigean spring tide, as king tides are more officially known.

When this happens, it’s called a perigean spring tide, as king tides are more officially known.