El Niño is zipping along in the tropical Pacific. There’s a 54% chance that this El Niño event will end up “historically strong” (more details below), potentially ranking in the top 5 on record. Looking ahead, it’s likely that El Niño will end and neutral conditions return by April–June.
The first winter storm to arrive in California made world wide news. Personally, the effects were pretty amazing, dangerous and a bit shocking.
Below is a small granite breakwater which protects a parking lot at Cabrillo Beach. I have been parking there on and off for over 5O years. Never seen any rocks or boulders move until last week! The storm waves were breaking across the parking lot and moving heavy rocks!
The larger sets were penetrating the main harbor break wall then filling into Los Angeles Harbor. The waves then reformed into surges which I could feel tied up in Watch Horn Basin! Hard to image, especially when Los Angles Harbor is generally considered “south facing” and is “protected”.
This type of refraction can happen when enough energy is present and can catch people off guard (don’t ask how I know). Example: Very large winter swells will refract down the south shore of Molokai and break across the bar at Hale Lono Harbor.
Never turn your back on the weather. Stay safe and carry on men…
