Watch out for high tide in Venice or 'ACQUA ATLTA' as it is known. We didn't realise it was going to happen but the locals did - they were carying their wellies around for the lower parts of Venice, like St Marks, to change into. Other people in the square had great fun trying to avoid getting their feet wet.
So what sea levels constitute an acqua alta, well here's a guide I found:
80 and 100 cm, there is generally only flooding in central areas. This is still "acqua alta", but pretty modest.
at 100 cm, 5% of the city is below water
at 110 cm 15% of the city is below water
(sirens forecast this high water 3-4 hours in advance)
at 120 cm, 33% of the city is below water
at 130 cm, 62% of the city is below water
above 140 centimeters is a flood emergency.
The worst one recently was Nov. 2002 at 147 cm - the 5th worst in the last 100 years!
The website below will show the sea levels for the next few days so you can see if an acqua alta will affect your visit.
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