Updated

Scientists raised concerns about a slow-moving, planetary-scale oceanic 'Kelvin wave' heading toward California that could raise sea levels along the coast by up to a foot, as an unusually strong El Niño traps warm water along the coastline. Researchers warned this could supercharge the risk of storm surges and flooding in the coming months. The warning came amid broader reporting explaining this year's record-breaking, 'godzilla' El Niño event, which climate scientists say has already broken temperature records and is linked to the unusually active hurricane seasons seen in both the Atlantic and Pacific this year.