The planetary wave headed for California isn’t what you think it is

<figure> <img alt="An aerial view of equipment moving fresh sand as a jogger passes." data-caption="An aerial view of equipment moving fresh sand during an emergency replenishment project along eroding shoreline at North Beach on August 15th, 2024, in San Clemente, California. | Photo: Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="Photo: Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/10/gettyimages-2166966071.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> An aerial view of equipment moving fresh sand during an emergency replenishment project along eroding shoreline at North Beach on August 15th, 2024, in San Clemente, California. | Photo: Getty Images </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">A rather strong "planetary wave" recently slammed into South America and is making its way toward California. In case you're worried about headlines warning of the supposedly "<a href="https://nypost.com/2026/10/02/us-news/el-nino-causes-ocean-phenomenon-waves-to-raise-california-sea-levels/">freak</a>" phenomenon "<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/climate/el-nino-storm-flooding-kelvin-waves.html">bringing trouble</a>," it's worth understanding what this wave really is and <em>isn't</em>.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Called a Kelvin wave, it's carrying warm water to the Americas that's typically trapped farther west. That's raising sea levels along already vulnerable coastlines. These kinds of waves are common. When they do arrive, they can exacerbate existing problems. And this particular Kelvin wave could have more dramatic consequences than usual. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">But "If you're going to be out …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/1005077/el-nino-planetary-wave-kelvin">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>