8.14 Local Winds

8.14.2 Describe the development of sea breezes with reference to:

Sea breeze

A sea breeze is a cool, moist breeze that blows from the sea onto the land during the day.

During the day, the land heats faster than the sea. The air over the land becomes warmer, less dense, and rises. This creates a relative low-pressure area over the land.

The sea remains cooler, so the air over the sea is relatively denser and at higher pressure. This air moves inland at low level to replace the rising air over the land.

This produces an onshore wind, known as a sea breeze.

(a) horizontal and vertical limits around New Zealand;

Around New Zealand, sea breezes may extend inland approximately 25–40 km.

They may have a vertical depth of around 2000–3000 ft.

(b) timing of the occurrence;

Sea breezes usually begin in the late morning, often around 1000 local time.

They are usually strongest during the mid to late afternoon, commonly between 1400 and 1600.