Concern mounts over slow-moving, planetary-scale Kelvin wave heading for Calif
3 hours ago
- A Kelvin wave could raise California coastline sea levels by up to a foot, driven by El Niño conditions.
- Kelvin waves form when trade winds weaken or reverse, sending a massive warm-water slosh eastward across the Pacific.
- One such wave reached South America in late August and is moving toward California, potentially raising sea levels for months.
- Sea levels have already risen about 8 inches over the past century, amplifying the impact of Kelvin waves.
- This year's El Niño may be the strongest in 1,000 years, bringing more severe storms, storm surges, flooding, and erosion.
- California has declared a state of emergency, staging resources and urging coastal residents to prepare for flooding and damage.
- Past strong El Niño winters (1983, 1998, 2016) guide predictions, but rising seas and extreme intensity may cause unprecedented damage.