This Super El Niño Could Trigger the Highest Sea Levels Ever Recorded on the California Coast

Ellyn Lapointe· Aug 7, 2026 · 7:15 PM UTC ·2 min read · 0 reactions · 0 comments · 4 views

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Scientists are warning of a potentially severe El Niño event that could trigger the highest sea levels ever recorded on the California coast. The event is expected to peak in December, with sea levels already starting to increase due to thermal expansion and more rainfall along the Pacific coast. This could lead to considerable coastal flooding, intrusion of saltwater into the groundwater, and coastal erosion, with preparations already underway to mitigate the impacts.

Key facts

▪The latest El Niño forecast shows this event peaking around 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit in December, which would break the previous record.
▪El Niño is expected to cause the Pacific Ocean to expand due to thermal expansion, leading to higher sea levels and more rainfall along the Pacific coast.
▪The combination of El Niño and long-term sea level rise driven by global warming could drive sea levels to record-breaking heights and produce high waves and king tides.

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Original publisher	Gizmodo
Canonical URL	https://gizmodo.com/this-super-el-nino-could-trigger-the-highest-sea-levels-ever-recorded-on-the-california-coast-2000795970
Publication time	Fri, 07 Aug 2026 19:15:02 +0000
Retrieval time	2026-08-07T19:20:44.837Z
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand

As the peak of El Niño draws closer, scientists are growing increasingly concerned about its potential impacts. According to several experts, California may be in for a particularly difficult winter. During a virtual town hall hosted by Senator Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) on Wednesday, climate scientists painted a grim picture of the months ahead for California. The latest El Niño forecast shows this event peaking around 7.2 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) in December, which would obliterate the previous record and have major implications for West Coast weather and sea…

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