El Niño Kelvin Wave Set to Push California Seas Higher and Accelerate Erosion
A coastally trapped Kelvin wave linked to the developing El Niño is forecast to raise California’s sea level by about 6 inches for months as it travels from the western Pacific toward the Gulf of California and up the U.S. West Coast, with Southern California arrival expected in early October. When combined with El Niño–driven high tides, storms, and a marine heatwave, this could amplify beach erosion and coastal flood risk, compounding damage already seen along the coastline.
