From Sfgate · · 1m
Planetary wave hits San Francisco Bay
A deep-sea wave from El Niño lifts San Francisco Bay waters by a foot, triggering record flooding.
In brief
A deep-sea wave from El Niño lifts San Francisco Bay waters by a foot, triggering record flooding. El Niño's Kelvin wave raised San Francisco Bay water levels by 1.5 feet above predictions, setting a new October tide record. Originally reported by Sfgate.
El Niño wave arrives
El Niño sent a deep-sea wave from the tropics into California waters.
Wave travels underwater
Unlike beach waves, this Kelvin wave lifted sea surface by up to a foot underwater.
Wave reaches San Francisco
The wave arrived in San Francisco Bay recently, contributing to local flooding.
Origin and path
It originated in the western equatorial Pacific in August and traveled to the U.S. West Coast.
El Niño strength
This year's El Niño is very strong and may surpass all previous recorded events.
Water level rise
San Francisco Bay water levels peaked at 1.5 feet above tide predictions last weekend.
Record tide threat
This anomaly could set the highest tide record if king tides occur around Thanksgiving.
The takeaway
El Niño's Kelvin wave raised San Francisco Bay water levels by 1.5 feet above predictions, setting a new October tide record.
