What is often seen rising from ocean waters during significant weather events?

Storm surge is a crucial phenomenon that is often observed during significant weather events, particularly hurricanes and tropical storms. It refers to the abnormal rise in sea level associated with the low pressure and strong winds of these storms. As a storm approaches land, the wind pushes water toward the shore, causing the sea level to rise and leading to flooding in coastal areas. This rise in water can be quite dramatic, often exceeding several feet above normal tides, resulting in substantial destruction and dangers for communities along the coast.

While tsunami waves are also a dramatic effect of oceanic events, they are caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions and are not directly linked to weather events. Salinity spikes and water vapor are changes that occur due to environmental conditions but do not represent a visible phenomenon like storm surge during significant weather events. Thus, storm surge is the correct answer as it specifically relates to the observed effects of storms on ocean waters.