Higher Tides, Kelvin Wave, and Coastal Worries Rise

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – A bulldozer has been in motion on the Santa Barbara waterfront to build a seasonal protection for the next several months.

This comes at one of the more interesting times that features a combination of several weather related events.

For the next three days, the full Hunter Moon will cause the tides to reach high heights, plus the ocean level will be enhanced by an El Niño-related rise called a Kelvin wave.

It will raise the level about 12 inches and may be more.

It was apparent Monday morning when the tide rose about 10 a.m. and the bottom of Stearns Wharf was near the top of the ocean surface. It is usually much more of a distance.

On board the Lil' Toot vessel, Captain Milo Wolf says he doesn't feel it but definitely sees the change in the ocean when they are coming in and out of the harbor. He has even seen dolphins coming into the harbor at the higher tides. 

(More details, video and photos will be added here later today.)

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