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 Kelvin flow under the sea surface, 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 underwater but the impacts have been noticed in the last few days.
A landmark Yacht Club building has held up in many fierce storms but there are concerns again.
The Yacht Club Commodore Matt Wilson said, "my understanding is that we will not have a sand berm this year and historically it's proven that it doesn't last that long."
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.
George Totten a former resident who is visiting said, "I am absolutely fascinated by the Kelvin wave. It is pretty interesting to see that it is rising the coastline a foot. You can see a difference in the horizon so pretty, interesting and what a wonderful thing to see."
On the breakwater wall in Santa Barbara, one person got a wave splash and knew it was likely on a day like this.
"Normally, even when it is really crashing there are people out there but today there weren't and I was wondering if there was something way worse coming that they knew of about that I don't know about," said Patty Schwartzkopf on her walk.
Offshore a cruise ship stop by the Virgin Brilliant Lady was schedule here, but a passenger said other stops were changed. The route was going to be Cabo San Lucas, Matzalan, and Puerto Vallarta but another hurricane in the area prevented the stops, according to a passenger in the waterfront area.
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