Kelvin wave linked to El Niño reportedly raises Southern California sea levels

The short version

• Scientific American reports a Kelvin wave tied to El Niño is pushing sea levels about a foot above normal in southern California.[Scientific American]
• Daniel Swain says the wave is about as large as Kelvin waves get and previews sea levels expected decades from now.[Scientific American]
• Serious coastal flooding and beach erosion are likely, but winter rise estimates range from about 14 inches to two feet.[Scientific American]

Key facts

• Daniel Swain says the Kelvin wave reaching southern California is about as large as such waves can get.[Scientific American]
• Scientific American reports the wave is pushing sea levels about one foot above normal in southern California.[Scientific American]
• Swain says Kelvin-wave sea-level rise typically tops out at about 18 inches.[Scientific American]
• Swain says California may see about 14 inches of sea-level rise this winter as the wave's bulge weakens near the coast.[Scientific American]
• Swain says the Kelvin wave and El Niño thermal expansion together could temporarily raise ocean levels by about two feet or slightly more.[Scientific American]
• The Guardian reports state climatologist Michael Anderson expects El Niño to add about one foot of sea-level rise in California beyond the 8 to 12 inches from the past century's climate change.[The Guardian]
• Swain says he expects at least two more feet of sea-level rise in California later this century.[Scientific American]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• The ‘Kelvin wave’ hitting California is a potent warning about sea-level riseScientific American metered
• Landslides, flash floods and raging seas: is California ready for the ravages of El Niño?The Guardian - US