1.
storm surge
An abnormal rise in sea level caused by a typhoon or low-pressure system pushing seawater toward the coast. A dangerous weather phenomenon that can cause flooding in coastal areas.
台風による高潮に警戒してください。
Please be on alert for storm surges caused by the typhoon.
高潮で海岸沿いの道路が冠水した。
The coastal road was flooded by the storm surge.
高潮警報が発令されたため、沿岸地域の住民に避難指示が出た。
A storm surge warning was issued, and an evacuation order was given to residents in coastal areas.
USAGE:
高潮 is a key weather and disaster term in Japan. It refers specifically to the dangerous rise in sea level caused by typhoons and storms, not regular tidal changes. It frequently appears in weather reports during typhoon season.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 高潮警報 (storm surge warning)
- 高潮注意報 (storm surge advisory)
- 高潮被害 (storm surge damage)
- 高潮対策 (storm surge countermeasures)
NOTE ON READING:
The reading たかしお is used for the storm surge meaning. The same kanji can also be read こうちょう, meaning "climax" or "high point" (e.g., 最高潮 — the peak/climax).