Record Pacific Hurricane Season Causes Major Damage Along Southern California Coast
An unprecedented Pacific hurricane season has generated record cyclone energy, leading to extensive coastal damage in Southern California and raising concerns about further impacts from El Niño this winter.
Researchers at Colorado State University reported that the accumulated cyclone energy of this summer's Pacific storms has surpassed the previous record set in 2018, indicating an unusually powerful season. Climate researcher Daniel Cayan of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography said the region has already experienced significant damage ahead of the winter storm season, which coincides with the strongest El Niño on record.
The historic Long Beach boardwalk collapsed after repeated storm impacts, and Tropical Storm Rachel’s approach over the weekend caused powerful waves to breach 20-foot berms in Newport Beach, flooding roads with about a foot of seawater. Similar erosion and sand loss were reported at the Wedge in Newport Beach and beaches in San Onofre, Laguna Beach, and San Clemente, prompting Orange County to declare an emergency.
UC Agriculture and Natural Resources climate scientist Daniel Swain explained that the active season is driven by long-term ocean warming, elevated near-shore temperatures, and reduced wind shear associated with El Niño, which together enhance storm intensity. He noted that the current marine heat wave and El Niño have raised ocean temperatures 10-13 °F above normal, allowing hurricanes such as Rachel to affect the California coast.
Hurricane Simon is currently moving along Mexico’s west coast, and forecasters estimate a roughly 90 % chance of another cyclone forming within the next week. National Weather Service meteorologist Kristan Lund said, "> I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a couple more hurricanes or tropical systems forming in the Central Pacific, South Pacific area."
The NOAA Climate Prediction Center indicated a near-certain likelihood that this El Niño will be classified as “very strong,” with an 83 % chance of being the strongest on record since 1950. Even without heavy rain, El Niño can intensify winter waves, leading to greater sand loss and erosion. Cayan warned that upcoming king tides, expected around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and late January, could exacerbate coastal flooding and infrastructure damage.
Historical comparisons show that the two strongest El Niños of the past 75 years caused extensive coastal damage, while the 2015-16 event produced record erosion despite average rainfall. Experts caution that the combination of high tides, strong waves, and El Niño-driven storms could pose significant risks to Southern California’s coastline this winter.