Satellite Detects Warm Water Wave That Could Signal Developing El Niño
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The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite has observed a warm water Kelvin wave moving eastward across the Pacific, arriving off the South American coast in May. Such waves often precede El Niño events, which can shift global weather patterns. Sea levels around Peru were more than 5.9 inches higher than average in mid-May.
Facts First
- A warm water Kelvin wave arrived off South America in May, raising sea levels near Peru by over 5.9 inches.
- Kelvin waves often precede El Niño events, which shift global atmospheric circulation and can cause drought and flooding.
- The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite detected the wave with precision measurements of global sea level every 10 days.
- El Niño events usually peak between November and January, with effects varying based on their size.
- The Sentinel-6B satellite launched in November 2025 and is scheduled to take over sea level measurements by the end of 2026.
What Happened
The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite observed a Kelvin wave, a swell of warm water, forming in early March and moving eastward across the equatorial Pacific Ocean. It arrived off the South American coast in May, with sea levels around Peru measuring more than 5.9 inches (15 centimeters) higher than long-term averages by mid-May. The satellite, launched in 2020, measures and maps global water height every 10 days with high precision.
Why this Matters to You
If an El Niño develops, it could affect weather patterns globally. Modest El Niño events, such as those in 2018 and 2023, primarily caused drought and flooding in and around the tropical Pacific. A large El Niño, like the 2015-2016 event, caused drought in Africa and flooding in California. You may see changes in local weather, including potential shifts in precipitation and temperature patterns, depending on where you live.
What's Next
El Niño events usually peak between November and January, so the coming months will be critical for monitoring. The Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will continue its observations as the official reference for global sea level measurements. Its successor, the Sentinel-6B satellite, launched in November 2025, is scheduled to take over by the end of 2026, ensuring continued monitoring of ocean conditions.