Unusually large deep ocean swells generated from sources in the mid- and high latitudes by extratropical cyclones  cause considerable damage on the coasts of small islands thousands of kilometres away in the tropics. Impacts include inundation of settlements, infrastructure, and tourism facilities as well as coastal erosion. These waves can propagate to and influence reef islands in equatorial areas not usually exposed to high-energy waves. Examples of extratropical swell waves causing flooding and inundation have been reported throughout the Pacific . Modelling of future wave climates has been carried out for 25 tropical Pacific islands, and results suggests that December-February extreme wave heights will decrease for most islands by 2100 under both an RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenario, although the frequency of the large winter wave events may increase around the Hawaiian Islands. In the Caribbean, northerly swells affecting the islands have been recognised as a significant coastal hazard. They cause considerable seasonal damage to beaches, marine ecosystems and coastal infrastructure throughout the region.
IPCC
Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability
IPCC Report