Kelvin Wave to Temporarily Raise California Sea Level 6 to 12 Inches

A Pacific Kelvin wave reaching the California coast typically raises sea level 6 to 12 inches temporarily. The pulse carries warm western Pacific water east during El Niño, deepens the thermocline and elevates ocean height 12 to 18 miles offshore. Eastern Pacific surface temperatures reached 5 degrees Celsius above normal on October 4th.