Land Breezes and

Sea Breezes

SPI 0607.8.1Analyze data to identify events associated with heat

convection in the atmosphere.

SPI 0607.8.2Recognize the connection between the sun’s energy and the

wind.

High Pressure = cold, very dense air

Low Pressure = warm, less dense air

Air always moves from HIGH pressure to LOWPressure!

Sea BreezeDuring the day, land gets heated by the Sunmuch quicker than water does. As the land becomes warmer, it heats the air in the atmosphere above it.

Sea BreezeThis causes the air to expand, becoming less dense, and rise creating a lowpressure area.

Sea BreezeBecause water heats up much less quickly, air above the ocean takes longer to increasein temperature resulting in a high pressure area.

Sea BreezeWith a high pressure above the water and a lower pressure above the land, wind blows fromthe sea towards the land. This is known as a seabreeze.

Land BreezeIn the night, land cools down much quicker than waters of the ocean does. As the landbecomes cooler, so does the air above it.

Land BreezeThis results in air becoming denser, forming a high pressure area, causing winds to blow outward towards the sea. This is known as a land breeze.

When do they happen?Thus, in the day we often see seabreezes, while in the evening we see land breezes in coastal regions.

Land Breezes and Sea Breezes