Brace yourselves, California! Those big waves chewing away at beaches may be about to get even worse.

Meteorologists are watching a massive pulse of warm water known as a Kelvin wave that is moving toward the California coast as part of the current El Niño pattern. While you probably won't see the wave itself, its effects could be noticeable. Experts say it could raise sea levels along parts of Southern California by as much as a foot when it arrives in early October. 

That extra foot of water may not sound like much, but for communities already dealing with beach erosion and coastal flooding, it can make a big difference. Areas such as Malibu, Long Beach, and San Clemente have already watched sections of shoreline disappear. Higher water levels increase the risk of flooding, damage to beachfront property, and even more erosion along vulnerable stretches of coast. 

And the timing couldn't get much worse. Coastal waters off California are already unusually warm due to a marine heatwave and long-term ocean warming. Warm water naturally expands, which raises sea levels even before storms arrive. Add an El Niño-driven Kelvin wave on top of that, and the result could be even more pressure on beaches, roads, and coastal infrastructure.

The good news is that this isn't a tsunami and there's no immediate cause for panic. The concern is more about a gradual increase in water levels that can worsen flooding and erosion, especially if stormy weather follows. As California heads into the fall and winter season, coastal communities will be keeping a close eye on the ocean to see just how much impact this latest El Niño visitor brings.