A Kelvin Wave Surge Brings Tide Levels Up and Changes Wave Impacts

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - If it looks like the high tide is higher than normal it may be because of an ocean flow increase known as a Kelvin wave.

It is connected to the El Nino weather pattern, the warming of the Pacific Ocean and wind conditions at sea.

The weekend conditions on the coastline had unusual ocean behavior with the combination of the remains of Tropical Storm Rachel, the tide cycle and the Kelvin wave.

The predicted high tides and the observed high tides were different in the past two days by over a foot. It was very obvious at the Santa Barbara harbor where boats and docks were higher than you would regularly see. At eye level from West beach looking out to the sand berm it lined up differently and boats going in and out were sitting higher on the water.

It will not be a one-time event and could be a factor throughout the winter and spring.

Weather experts say the slow-moving flow could cause record-breaking sea levels and coastal flooding across the state. It is traveling up to Alaska.

The Kelvin wave is not a tsunami style water event. It is an underwater, moving bulge.

At the Santa Barbara Yacht Club there will not be a sand berm in front of it this year. The staff and the city are working on a protection plan and also a plan if there is a threat of damage to the property that's been at that location for 60 years after moving from Stearns Wharf.

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