Extreme sea levels near the coast can cause severe risk to life and infrastructure while understanding and planning for these events remains a challenge. Sea level variability (SLV) is controlled by complex local and remote multiresolution forces that interact under the influence of climatic and non-climatic factors in the ocean and atmosphere. Magnitude and strength of connection between forcing allows for development of foundational environmental knowledge of processes driving SLV. This study developed a methodology that identifies distinct spatial patterns of SLV at small scale and depicts sea-level response to atmospheric teleconnection parents using normalized characterization process of SLV through technology resources and information already available. Verification of the methodology using San Diego Bay as proof-of-concept, revealed characterization processes that are unique to each location. Findings also suggest that an analysis of high-resolution altimetry contrasted with local measures allows for identification of distinct spatial patterns of water levels at coastal and deep-ocean regions with representation of SLV response to climatic-driven processes on a global scale.