The West Coast was hit with monster waves, sparking widespread flooding, evacuations, and harrowing ocean rescues. The waves are part of a natural phenomenon known as a "king tide," where the gravitational pull of the sun and moon align to create exceptionally high tides. These king tides can lead to coastal flooding and dangerous conditions for those living near the shore.
Physical and Political maps of the United States, with state names (and Washington D.C.), highlight the stunning coastline that stretches along the Pacific Ocean. From the rugged cliffs of Oregon to the sandy beaches of California, the West Coast offers a diverse array of landscapes and ecosystems.
Satellite images show the strong Pineapple Express atmospheric river as it barrels from the Pacific Ocean toward the West Coast. This atmospheric river brings heavy rain and strong winds, leading to potential flooding and landslides in coastal communities.
La Niña is a climate pattern that describes the cooling of surface-ocean water along the tropical west coast of South America. This cooling can have far-reaching impacts on weather patterns around the world, including the strength and frequency of storms along the West Coast of the United States.
In February and March 2022, research ships from the United States, Canada, and Russia will set out into one of the roughest oceans in the world, the Pacific Ocean. These research missions aim to study ocean currents, marine life, and climate patterns to better understand the complexities of this vast and dynamic ecosystem.
The 2021 summer upwelling season off the United States Pacific Northwest coast was unusually strong, leading to widespread near-bottom hypoxia. This phenomenon occurs when nutrient-rich waters from the deep ocean are brought to the surface, fueling algae blooms and creating low-oxygen conditions that can be harmful to marine life.
By Lisa Baertlein LOS ANGELES, Feb 14 (Reuters) – West Coast ports are seeing minimal impact from militant attacks and drought that are affecting other regions. The ports along the West Coast play a crucial role in the global economy, serving as gateways for goods flowing in and out of the United States.
A series of powerful storms in the Pacific Ocean are driving towering waves into the California coastline, triggering flooding and posing a threat to coastal communities. These storms are fueled by warm ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions that create intense weather systems along the West Coast.
