Local Wind Effects

Sea breezes develop on warm, sunny days when the land heats faster than the sea. Warm air rises over the land, and cooler air from the sea flows in to replace it. Sea breezes typically develop late morning and peak mid-afternoon, reaching Force 3–4. They die at sunset as the land cools.

Land breezes are the reverse: at night the land cools faster than the sea, and air flows from land to sea. Land breezes are usually weaker than sea breezes (Force 1–2).

Katabatic winds occur when cold, dense air drains downhill from elevated terrain (mountains, glaciers) toward the coast. They can be strong and gusty, particularly in fjords, steep-sided estuaries, and lee shores of mountainous coastlines. In the UK, katabatic effects can be felt in Scottish lochs and the lee of high ground in Wales and SW England.