How El Niño is impacting flood advisory from high tides along California coast
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A Coastal Flood Advisory has been extended through Friday across the Bay Area as higher-than-average high tides continue to bring minor coastal flooding.
The advisory is part of a broader stretch of coastal flood alerts affecting much of California's coastline, extending from the Bay Area down to Southern California.
Several factors are contributing to the elevated tides, according to forecasters. The moon is currently in its full phase, which typically results in higher tides. In addition, El Niño-related conditions are playing a role.
MORE: High tides create flood risk for parts of Bay Area this week, NWS says: Here's what to expect
That includes an ongoing Kelvin wave in the Pacific, described as a slow pulse of water associated with warmer sea surface temperatures. Thermal expansion caused by those warmer ocean temperatures is also contributing to higher high tides.
Sea surface temperatures off the California coast remain well above average.
Water around the Bay is around 6 degrees warmer than average, but the Central Coast is seeing water more than 10 degrees above average, helping drive the elevated tides expected through Friday.
Cool conditions are expected to continue as the coastal flood advisory remains in effect. Minor coastal flooding is expected during periods of high tide, including a high tide around 12:15 p.m. Tuesday.
The region's highest high tides of the year, known as King Tides, typically occur in December and January.
