El Niño, rising seas and king tides threaten California’s coastline this winter

Scientists explain that El Niño heats Pacific waters, causing them to expand and raise sea levels up to a foot above normal, a trend already evident along the South American coast. In California, tides have been running 4 to 9 inches higher than predicted in locations such as San Diego, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Humboldt County. With a 95% chance of a “super” El Niño developing, the state will also face unusually strong king tides that coincide with lunar cycles peaking this year.

Coastal engineer Jeremy Smith warns that the combined effect may flood vulnerable beachfront districts like Mission Beach, Newport Beach and Seal Beach, while powerful swells erode beaches and damage parking structures. Climate experts such as Daniel Swain and Mark Merrifield stress that the timing of these high tides around Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and late January could amplify damage if winter storms occur.