California was already staring down the barrel of what could become a punishing winter. Now, scientists are watching another potentially dangerous development unfolding across the Pacific.
A massive pulse of warm ocean water stretching thousands of miles is moving toward the U.S. West Coast, threatening to raise sea levels just as El Niño, powerful winter storms and unusually high tides could converge on California.
According to the Daily Mail, scientists with NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are tracking the Kelvin wave after it reached South America and began traveling north. NOAA reported Sept. 25 that its effects could begin reaching the West Coast “within the next few weeks.”
And while this is no tsunami racing toward California, what it could do is dramatically change the playing field before winter storms even arrive.
Kelvin waves form when typical tropical Pacific winds weaken, allowing warm water concentrated in the western Pacific to surge eastward. The phenomenon could raise California’s coastal sea levels approximately six to 12 inches within days or weeks.
That extra water could remain for weeks or even months.
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NOAA oceanographer Michael McPhaden told SFGate that California could face a “quintuple whammy” as the Kelvin wave combines with elevated sea levels from a heat wave and storm activity from offshore hurricanes.
And this latest warning isn’t happening in a vacuum.
As Charisma previously reported, Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as California began preparing months ahead of winter for a potentially historic El Niño, with officials bracing for powerful storms, flooding, landslides, debris flows and dangerous coastal conditions.
Put it all together—elevated seas, unusually high tides, El Niño-fueled storms and massive ocean waves—and coastal communities could face water reaching farther inland, increased erosion and greater flooding.
Meanwhile, the eastern Pacific hurricane season remains active through Nov. 30, adding yet another variable to the equation.
With El Niño’s broader impacts potentially stretching into 2027, California may be facing much more than just another rainy winter.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].
