The planetary-scale Kelvin wave approaching California could raise sea levels by up to a foot.

Concern mounts over slow-moving, planetary-scale ‘Kelvin’ wave heading for California The ocean phenomenon could raise sea levels by up to a foot as El Niño keeps warm water trapped along the coast https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/28/california-kelvin-wave

Concern mounts over slow-moving, planetary-scale ‘Kelvin’ wave heading for #California #Ocean phenomenon could raise #sealevels by up to a foot as #ElNiño keeps warm water trapped along coast #KelvinWaves are not like crashing waves. They are planetary in scale, spanning thousands of miles. When a Kelvin wave kicks off, it brings with it an untold amount of warm water that slowly moves from the western Pacific, along the equator, towards South, Central and North America. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/28/california-kelvin-wave