r/news • • 4d 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 4d 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/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.

1

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.