Neap Tide

Neap tides are the tides of smallest range, occurring about twice a month near the first and third lunar quarters when the Sun and Moon are at right angles and their tide-raising forces partly cancel (M2 and S2 out of phase). High waters are lower and low waters higher than average, so the tidal stream is weaker. Neaps alternate with spring tides on the roughly fortnightly spring-neap cycle.