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

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 "freak" phenomenon "bringing trouble," it's worth understanding what this wave really is and isn't. Called a Kelvin wave, it's carrying warm water to the Americas that's typically trapped […]

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

The planetary wave currently heading for California, often dubbed a "freak" phenomenon, is actually a Kelvin wave - a common occurrence that carries warm water to the Americas, typically farther west. This particular wave is raising sea levels along already vulnerable coastlines, potentially exacerbating existing problems. While it could have more dramatic consequences than usual, it's important to remember that such waves are not uncommon and do not inherently bring trouble.

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