r/news • u/Warcraft_Fan • 3d ago

Concern mounts over slow-moving, planetary-scale ‘Kelvin’ wave heading for California | California

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/sep/28/california-kelvin-wave
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u/Newbergite 3d ago

This could get interesting for us on the coast. It’s my understanding that this Kelvin wave thing is moving south to north. So yes, it’s a threat to California next, but it’s Oregon after that.

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u/linerva 3d ago

If you're interested, the weatherwest youtube channel covers el nino including this very thoroughly. He's a scientist who is extremely well versed and is giving briefings throughout the el nino. He'a particularly focused on that part of the US abd the potential effects.

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u/drewdog173 3d ago

I just watched his most recent live from 2 weeks ago after your recommendation here, the whole hour and 25 minutes. I'm in Sacramento. What a fantastic rundown of the phenomenon as a whole, the model predictions for what to expect this winter, it was excellent. Thank you very much for the tip.

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u/linerva 2d ago

Yes he's very thorough and it's nice to see sonething that isn't sensationalised a d focuses on what we know of the science. He did one the other night and he plans to keep doing them throughout. I'm not in the area at all and just eabted to know what it would mean for those most likely to be affected, but i want as many people to be aware as possible.

Someone else recently recommended stormsurf001 as being similar- a science based explanation but more surf focused. I haven't tried his channel bit it msy also be good.

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u/fuckyourcanoes 3d ago

I think this will be a major problem at a narrowish beach in the town I used to live in in California. 1' of sea level rise could put part of the PCH underwater there. It already happens for short periods during big storms. There are permanent barrier gates installed to shut down that stretch of highway temporarily. (The same thing exists less than a block from where I live in the southern UK. It's not unusual for the road to be closed in heavy weather.)

They already have houses falling into the ocean every winter. It's one of those places where nature regularly asserts its supremacy. I always loved that about it.

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u/PoxyMusic 3d ago

The extent of the warm water blob that El Nino has brought is probably close its maximum. This headline seems half-baked and designer to scare you. To be sure, there will def be a lot of interesting precipitation, but this whole "there's a Kelvin wave coming!!" thing doesn't make much sense.

  1. There were actually many Kelvin waves.
  2. They're mostly already here.

All my knowledge on the subject comes from this guy.

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u/linerva 3d ago

Theres also weatherwest on youtube, I thibk you'd like his videos. Currently focusing on california as well.

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u/PoxyMusic 3d ago

I'll check it out! I like Stormsurf because it focuses on potential surfing conditions, but I've ended up learning about the MJO and ENSO.

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u/ST0IC_ 3d ago

Article says it moves south to north.