What is Sea Breeze?
During the day time, when the sun is up, the land air heats
up faster whereas the sea air heats slowly. Thus, at this
time, the sea air is cooler and heavy and it flows towards the
land. As the name suggests, Sea breeze refers to the breeze
or wind blowing from the sea towards the land. It usually
occurs during the summer days. It is also known as
Onshore breeze.
How A Sea Breeze Forms
Step 1- The land heats up during the day, and it
heats up the atmosphere. The air becomes less
dense and expands. Then the air rises which
creates a low pressure area.
The land heats up. The
warm air rises.
Step 2- The water heats up slower than the land.
Step 3- The cold air above the water starts to
create a breeze because of the uneven
temperatures, and the cold air moves toward land.
Step 4- Now the process starts again.
The water heats up
slower. A breeze starts
because
there
is
uneven temperatures.
The cold air moves
toward land and
becomes warm.
What Is Land Breeze?
The land heats up at a faster pace and so does it cool also.
Hence, after the sunset land or sand cools down before the
water. At this time, the land air is cooler than the sea air
thereby creating a low pressure over the sea. Thus, the land air
flows towards the sea. As the name suggests,
Land breeze refers to the breeze or wind blowing from the
land towards the sea. It is also known as Offshore breeze. It
usually occurs during the night or early morning when the land
air is cooler than the sea air.
HOW A LAND BREEZE FORMS
•
•
•
•
•
Step 1- At night the land cools quicker than the
water. The air above the land becomes less dense
and contracts.
Step 2- The air above the land becomes more dense.
Step 3- That forms a high pressure.
Step 4- This causes a breeze to start and go toward
the ocean.
Step 5- Now the process starts again.
The land cools quicker
than the water.
The water is warmer
than the land because
it holds its heat.
The cold air from land moves toward the
water. Now the cold air becomes warm.
When Do Land and Sea Breezes Form?
• Sea breezes often occur on warm
spring and summer days. They occur
when the temperature of the land is
higher than the temperature of the
water .
• Land breezes often occur at night, when
the temperature of the water is warmer
than the temperature of the land. the
water holds it heat better than land.
Sunny
When Are Land and Sea Breezes the
Strongest?
• Land breezes are strongest when the land
is cool and the water is warm.
Mediterranean Sea
OCEAN AND SAND
You can see that the wind is very low because no one’s
hair is being blown.
Mediterranean Sea
• Sea breezes are the strongest when the land is warm and the water is cooler.
You can see the flags that are on the coast
flapping back and forth.
Conclusion
• Land breezes occur when the wind blows toward the sea.
• Sea breezes occur when the wind blows toward the land.