Kelvin wave pulses to raise West Coast sea levels up to a foot, erosion and flood risk

A series of Kelvin waves will raise sea levels along the US West Coast by up to a foot this month, increasing erosion and flooding in areas already stressed by climate change and El Niño. The event is a natural oceanic phenomenon, but its impact is amplified by existing sea-level rise. The exact timing and magnitude of the pulses remain uncertain, but the risk is concentrated in low-lying coastal communities.