kelvin wave

A Kelvin wave is a pulse of unusually warm water that travels beneath the ocean surface along the equator toward the Americas. When these warm underwater currents reach the West Coast, they can push sea surface temperatures up and influence weather patterns, potentially affecting rainfall, storm activity and coastal conditions in California. News coverage is explaining the phenomenon as meteorologists track its possible impact on the state's climate in the coming months.

Attention on El Niño is rising as meteorologists explain a 'planetary-scale Kelvin wave' — a massive pulse of warm water moving eastward along the equatorial Pacific. The Weather Network reports the phenomenon is strengthening the El Niño pattern and is fueling concern in California, where it can drive heavy winter storms and flooding, while also altering weather patterns worldwide.

A large Kelvin wave, an eastward-moving pulse of warm water, is travelling through the Pacific Ocean toward the California coast. These ocean events can raise sea levels and water temperatures along the US West Coast and are closely watched as possible precursors to El Niño conditions.

Scientists are warning about a phenomenon known as a Kelvin wave, a large pulse of warm water moving along the equator toward the West Coast, which could raise ocean levels along the California coast by as much as a foot. Experts say the event could raise coastal flood risks and may signal broader changes in Pacific Ocean conditions.