West Coast Sea Rise
El Niño Kelvin Waves Expected to Raise West Coast Seas Up to a Foot
Anonymous
A series of warm-water Kelvin waves associated with El Niño is expected to raise West Coast sea levels by about 6 inches to a foot as the waves travel north from California toward Oregon and Washington. The waves are not expected to cause flooding on their own, but they could worsen coastal erosion and increase flooding risks when combined with high tides, storms, or storm surges. They may also warm surface waters and affect marine life by pushing nutrient-rich cold water deeper.
Key Points
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The Kelvin waves are bulges of water that raise sea level as they move along the coast; unlike tsunamis, they do not curl over and crash onto beaches.
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The surge is expected to travel north at about 6 miles per hour—roughly 150 miles per day—and experts expect pulses to continue from October through February.
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Experts say the year’s super El Niño could intensify the effects of Kelvin waves, which commonly occur during El Niño events.
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North Carolina State University professor Dillon Amaya described Kelvin waves as a “fact of life” during El Niño and said they form when equatorial trade winds change direction.
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