California faces coastal threats from approaching Kelvin wave

California is facing a potential ‘quintuple whammy’ of coastal threats as a massive Kelvin wave approaches the U.S. West Coast. Scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are tracking this pulse of warm ocean water, which could raise coastal sea levels by six to 12 inches as it moves north from South America.

This phenomenon, driven by El Niño, is expected to converge with other factors including unusually high tides, marine heatwaves, and powerful winter storms. Experts warn that the combination of elevated sea levels, king tides, and increased storm activity could lead to significant coastal flooding, increased erosion, and landslides. In Southern California, communities such as Malibu, Long Beach, and San Clemente are already seeing coastline loss due to rising sea levels.

The approaching weather patterns may also impact the housing market. Experts suggest that the shift in the jet stream could bring increased atmospheric rivers to California, potentially exposing vulnerabilities in coastal properties and affecting real estate marketability and insurance considerations.