15 JULY 1997. CALIFORNIA: CLIMATE
"The sudden onset of warm water (El Nino) near San Francisco beaches in July of 1997 was preceded by heavy and unusual south winds from a persistent cutoff low offshore of northern California. Observers, including myself, noticed immediately after the south winds, water temps rose 6-8 degrees in a matter of days. Rare fish were already being sighted offshore. Seen coincidentally, for the first time in known history by long time residents and sportsmen, were many huge groupings (thousands of animals in the largest groups) of California Sea Lions, porpoise, dolphin and other mammals more common to our south all together and feeding in a frenzy on sardine (unusual), mackerel and squid very near shore, just outside the surf line in many cases. Even the seals were "porpoising". Because they were so close, identification is nearly 100% accurate. These herds were seen for only about 1 week, then disappeared as fast as they showed up. No repeat sightings have been noted since then."--Craig Heden <CHeden@aol.com>

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