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Sea and land breeze circulations driven by surface temperature differences between land and sea often evolve into gravity currents with sharp fronts. Along narrow peninsulas, islands and enclosed seas, sea/land breeze fronts from opposing shorelines may converge and collide and may initiate deep convection and heavy precipitation. Here we investigate the collision of two sea breeze gravity current fronts in an analogue laboratory setting. We examine these collisions by means of ‘lock‐exchange’ experiments in a rectangular channel. The effects of differences in gravity current density and height are studied. Upon collision, a sharp front separating the two currents develops. For symmetric collisions (the same current densities and heights) this front is vertical and stationary. For asymmetric collisions (density differences, similar heights) the front is tilted, changes shape in time and propagates in the same direction as the heavier current before the collision. Both symmetric and asymmetric collisions lead to upward displacement of fluid from the gravity currents and mixing along the plane of contact. The amount of mixing along the collision front decreases with asymmetry. Height differences impact post‐collision horizontal propagation: there is significant propagation in the same direction as the higher current before collision, independent of density differences. Collisions of two gravity current fronts force sustained ascending motions which increase the potential for deep convection. From our experiments we conclude that this potential is larger in stationary collision fronts from symmetric sea breeze collisions than in propagating collision fronts from asymmetric sea breeze collisions.

The Mediterranean region is a densely populated and economically relevant area with complex orography including mountain ranges, islands, and straits. In combination with pressure gradients, this creates many mesoscale wind systems that cause, e.g., wind gusts and wildfire risk in the Mediterranean. This article reviews the recent state of the science of several mesoscale winds in the Mediterranean and associated processes. Previous work, including case studies on several time ranges and resolutions, as well as studies on these winds under future climate conditions, is discussed. Simulations with grid spacings of 25 to 50 km can reproduce winds driven by large-scale pressure patterns such as Mistral, Tramontane, and Etesians. However, these simulations struggle with the correct representation of winds channeled in straits and mountain gaps and around islands. Grid spacings of 1–3 km are certainly necessary to resolve these small-scale features. The smaller grid spacings are widely used in case studies, but not yet in simulations over large areas and long periods, which also could help to understand the interaction between small-scale phenomena in separate locations. Furthermore, by far not all Mediterranean straits, islands, and mountain gaps were studied in-depth and many interesting Mediterranean small-scale winds still need to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaiga, located on the west coast of Karnataka, India is a complex terrain region with dense forest cover often influenced by land-sea breeze flows during warm summer season. In this study, dispersion of tritium released from Kaiga Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) under the influence of land-sea breeze circulations is simulated using FLEXPART-WRF models. Sensitivity experiments with Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) are conducted with two Land Surface Models (LSMs), Noah and Noah-Multi Physics (Noah-MP) to study their impact on the wind flow and meteorological characteristics. Mini Boundary Layer Masts (MBLMs) and Doppler SODAR observations are used for evaluating the model performance. WRF simulations showed large sensitivity of simulated sea breeze characteristics to the model land surface physics. It has been found that the Noah-MP better represented the onset time, inland extent, intensity and duration of the sea breeze circulation over the Kaiga complex terrain region with lesser error statistics compared to Noah. The improvements with Noah-MP over Noah are due to the better representation of vegetation and soil hydrological processes over the dense forest region, realistic simulation of surface energy and momentum fluxes and reduction in the land-sea temperature contrast by including a separate canopy physics. FLEXPART simulation of tritium releases from the Kaiga NPPs using WRF predicted meteorological fields showed large diurnal variability in the dispersion pattern and air concentrations around the Kaiga valley. Tritium plume is transported to the northwest sector during early morning and morning time by the land-breeze and to the east-southeast sector by the sea breeze during daytime. Predicted tritium concentrations are found to be higher during the morning under stable atmospheric conditions and lower during sea breeze hours due to stronger winds and deep mixed layers. FLEXPART predicted tritium activity concentrations at different measurement locations using WRF-Noah-MP meteorological data are in better agreement with measurements with higher correlation coefficient and index of agreement.

In a recent study, we evaluated the performance of real‐time convection‐permitting WRF model forecasting over China. Although the overall rainfall distribution and diurnal cycle are well simulated, the model greatly overestimates the rainfall intensity in southern China and the predicted rainfall shows a southeast location bias. In this study, possible factors contributing to the precipitation forecast bias are discussed. The precipitation over southern China is found to be greatly influenced by land‐sea circulations. While the model captures diurnal variations of winds well, the predicted amplitude and onset timing of the land/sea breezes differ from observations. Cold bias of land‐surface temperature is shown to partially cause wind bias. In the afternoon, the cold bias results in a weakened inland penetration of sea breeze, which in turn leads to more rain on the eastern south‐China coastline. During nighttime, excessive cooling over land results in a stronger land breeze, leading to location bias of early morning precipitation. While the observed coastal rain belt is mostly located over land during early morning, the predicted coastal rain belt is mostly located over ocean. In addition, the model overestimates moisture at low levels, especially over the southern slope of the coastal mountains and over ocean, which explains the excessive rainfall over southern China. This study emphasizes the importance of accurately simulating land‐surface‐related variables for precipitation forecast in coastal regions where land‐sea contrast plays an important role. Key Points: The initiation and propagation of convection over southern China are greatly influenced by land‐sea circulationsCold bias over land results in a weaker sea breeze during the afternoon and a stronger land breeze at night, causing rainfall location biasOverprediction of moisture along the coastal mountains and over the ocean is the primary cause of excessive rainfall [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An extreme rainfall event with maximum 12 hr accumulated rainfall of 464.8 mm associated with a quasi‐stationary mesoscale convective system occurred over the western coastal region of South China in June 2017. An observational analysis shows that early convective storms were initiated near the mountains and moved northeastwards. Moreover, a convergence line between cold northerly winds and warm southerly winds in the lower levels was formed, which favored the development of the quasi‐stationary system. Cold northerly winds were associated with land breeze, downslope winds as well as previous rainfall during earlier period, and cold pool outflows during later period. Cloud‐resolving simulations were performed to examine the roles of terrain, land‐sea surface roughness contrast, and cold pool outflows in the formation of heavy rainfall. Results demonstrate that land‐sea surface roughness contrast and mountains in the middle of Yangjiang and Jiangmen facilitated the formation of the convergence line during earlier period, and cold pool outflows sustained it during later period. Besides orographic lifting, coastal hills helped reduce the stability. Mountains in the middle of Yangjiang hindered the movement of the convective system, without which the associated heavy rainfall would shift farther north. Mt. Tianlu with westward concave morphology played a vital role in the formation of local convergence and the concentration of heavy rainfall. Without it, the total rainfall in the region of interest was reduced. This study suggests the importance of representing processes associated with the complex underlying surface in models for the prediction of heavy rainfall in coastal regions. Key Points: The relative roles of terrain, surface roughness, and cold pool outflows in the formation of heavy rainfall were investigatedA convergence line associated with winds affected by underlying surface, cold pool outflows, and persistent southerly flows was favorableLand‐sea surface roughness contrast and terrain played an important role in the initial formation of the convergence line [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The planetary-boundary-layer (PBL) flow and above is investigated for the central north coast of Brazil, an equatorial region spanning from 8° to 2°S. The daily PBL flow is controlled by vertical entrainment of horizontal momentum from a southerly large-scale flow associated with the Hadley cell, and by a mesoscale pressure gradient force (PGF) created by the differential heating between land and ocean. Near the coast, the flow is from the north-east quadrant comprising a small rotation, probably caused by a weak mesoscale PGF and a weak Coriolis force. Inland it is north-easterly in the morning, but deep mixing during the afternoon brings down momentum from above causing it to become south-easterly. The mesoscale PGF executes a daily 360° rotation at most of the stations. In the afternoon it points to land due to continuous heating of the land, and a sea breeze develops in the presence of the background flow. Once convection dies out, the transfer of horizontal momentum is reduced, and the marine-air layer can flow faster into the continent as a nocturnal jet. As the stable boundary layer grows thicker, this flow tends to be eliminated at the surface. By morning, the mesoscale PGF points north, forcing the inland flow to become south-easterly, while on the coast flow becomes almost easterly. This scenario repeats during dry and wet seasons and can be understood as a consequence of the south–north propagation of an atmospheric circulation resembling a helix with its rotation axis oriented parallel to the shoreline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A set of idealized convection‐permitting simulations is performed to investigate the influence of topography on the physical mechanisms responsible for the nocturnal offshore propagation of convection around tropical islands. All simulations have an idealized island in the middle of a long channel oceanic domain, with constant sea surface temperature and without rotation. To diagnose the impact of topography, we compare a flat island simulation with two simulations with mountain ranges of different shapes. The topography over the island has a strong impact on the diurnal cycle of convection as clouds tend to remain all day over the highest topography. This weakens the diurnal cycle and the land breeze front and triggers a comparatively less frequent long‐distance offshore propagation of convection. As in the flat simulation, the distance of offshore propagation is particularly sensitive to humidity and temperature at the top of the boundary layer. A shallow circulation that is asymmetric with respect to the island influences the boundary layer top humidity and can favor propagation on one side of the island or the other. These results mimic cloud and precipitation patterns observed prior to the Madden‐Julian Oscillation propagation over the Maritime Continent. The shape of the topography does not seem to influence the offshore propagation of convection significantly except for mountain‐valley breezes that reinforce the land breeze and the establishment of the asymmetric shallow circulation.

Abstract An idealized convection‐permitting simulation is performed to investigate the physical mechanisms responsible for the nighttime offshore propagation of convection around tropical islands. An idealized island is placed in the middle of a long, nonrotating channel oceanic domain with constant sea surface temperature. A strong diurnal cycle typical of a tropical island is simulated, with a thermally forced sea breeze in daytime and the associated inland propagation of precipitation. Offshore propagation of a land breeze and its associated convection is simulated every night but with varying extent. Gravity waves of first and second baroclinic modes trigger convection far from the coast if the offshore conditions are favorable. This accelerates the propagation speed of the land breeze as it reduces the onshore wind associated with the lower branch of the overturning large‐scale circulation. Higher‐order modes may trigger convection or reinforce existing convection but less systematically. The distance of propagation is particularly sensitive to humidity and temperature at the top of the boundary layer, with occasional incursions of a dry anomaly at the top of the boundary layer near the island preventing convection from developing far from the island.

The present work can be considered the first to examine the sea–land breeze phenomenon along the southern border of the Levantine Basin. Hourly records of wind regime (speed and direction) from five coastal meteorological stations distributed over this coastline were analyzed to characterize sea and land breezes in this region. The meteorological data also comprised simultaneous hourly air temperature and relative humidity records. The data covered 13 years from January 2007 to December 2019, with 0% missed data. The diurnal inversion of wind direction was utilized to recognize sea and land breeze days. This was verified by the reversal daily behavior of temperature and relative humidity. Statistics describing the onset, cessation, and seasonality of sea breeze occurrence are presented. Seasonally, sea breezes are most frequent in summer and early autumn months (July–October). Land breeze appears at most stations during night, with direction varying from one location to another among the five examined coastal stations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses 20 years of observation data to analyze the long‐term trend of the sea‐land breeze (SLB) in the city of Los Angeles. The focus of the study is on the seasonal variation of the SLB and the main influencing factors both regionally and at a large scale. A new method which is suitable for automatic processing is introduced to analyze the SLB and determine the specific characteristics of the local SLB. The results show the sea wind speed has an obvious seasonal variation with peak value in summer and minimum value in winter. Note the sea wind speed is generally positively related to the in situ solar radiation. In contrast, the seasonal variation of the land wind speed is much weaker. Two main factors are responsible for this phenomenon. First, the response of the temperature difference between land and sea (TDLS) to the season is much more insensitive during nighttime than during daytime, and the TDLS is the direct driver of SLB. Second, the magnitude of the upper layer westerlies has an obvious seasonal variation under the local climate background, which is called the Mediterranean climate. During winter, the stronger upper westerlies enhance the land wind circulation, which further offsets the seasonal gap, and this even causes the fact that there is no corresponding relationship between the season and wind speed. In contrast, the seasonal variation of the westerlies has little effect on the sea wind speed, and the in situ solar radiation remains the determinant factor. Key Points: The sea wind is high (4.3 m/s) in summer and low (3.6 m/s) in winter as a response to the temperature difference between land and sea (TDLS)The land wind has no clear seasonal variation due to the stronger upper westerlies in winter that offset the seasonal TDLS effect [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We analyze the hourly rainfall data of 30 rain gauges in Cambodia from 2010 to 2015 to focus on the diurnal pattern of rainfall and its regional characteristics, with the underlying mechanisms inferred from the observed data. The observed annual rainfall in inland Cambodia ranges from 1087 to 1528 mm on station-average. Approximately 5–20% of the annual rainfall occurs during the pre-monsoon season, 50–78% during the summer monsoon season, and 12–36% during the post-monsoon season. During the pre-monsoon season, rainfall is dominant on the coast and over the Cardamom Mountains, with a maximum in the afternoon. The rainfall amount is smaller around the Tonle Sap Lake. During the summer monsoon season, rainfall is larger in the northern region and smaller in the western region in inland Cambodia, in both amount and proportion to annual rainfall. The rainfall amount on the coast is distinctively large. The diurnal rainfall maximum occurs in the early afternoon in the Cardamom Mountains, in the afternoon on the plain at the southwestern side of the Tonle Sap Lake, in the evening on the wide area of the northeastern side of the lake, and in the early morning on the coast. The clear regional characteristics in the diurnal rainfall pattern suggest significant effects of local features, even during the Asian summer monsoon season. During the post-monsoon season, rainfall is larger on the southwestern side of the Tonle Sap Lake with dominant nocturnal rainfall. These diurnal patterns are, however, not clear on some days, and analysis of the synoptic-scale atmospheric condition suggests the effect of the large-scale low-pressure system and disturbances on the appearance of the clear diurnal rainfall pattern. The effect of land–lake and mountain–valley circulations on forming the diurnal rainfall pattern is also implied from ground-observed meteorological data, although further numerical studies are required to examine the detailed mechanisms. The study of local effects on rainfall with consideration of the land-surface dynamics may aid flood and drought management in Cambodia by facilitating a greater understanding of its rainfall pattern.

Cloud‐permitting scale (3 km) simulations are made to investigate the diurnal cycle of precipitation (DCP) over the Indo‐Pacific Maritime Continent under the modulation of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO), focusing on January–February 2018 during the Years of the Maritime Continent (YMC). Comparisons with satellite precipitation and global reanalysis products show that the simulations reasonably capture main features of diurnal wind and precipitation. The MJO modulates the amplitude, timing, and propagation of the DCP through affecting both large‐scale and local circulation and convection. Under local suppressed conditions, much strengthened sea/valley breezes are generally responsible for the enhanced and earlier‐triggered (2‐ to 3‐hr lead) DCP over land. Meanwhile, stronger cooling induced by enhanced stratiform rainfall excites well‐developed gravity waves spreading outward and upward, accompanied by continuous decreases in low‐level temperature and amplified land breezes, which cause stronger and further offshore‐propagating DCP. The opposite is true under local active conditions. Modulated by the passing of MJO, the enhanced DCP also displays a systematic shift from the west to the east coasts of large islands, forming a unique dipolar structure in the anomalous island DCP. The DCP exhibits island‐dependent characteristics: With topographical elevation, the triggering mechanism of island convection transforms from later penetrating sea breeze fronts over mountain foothills to early‐excited valley winds over mountain tops. Steep topography also supports stronger intraseasonal variations of the DCP, which can be well explained by regional variations in land‐sea/mountain‐valley breezes, terrain lifting, and ambient wind‐induced advective and vertical wind shear effects. Key Points: Cloud‐permitting simulations demonstrate the roles of land‐sea breezes, elevated terrain, valley winds, and gravity waves in diurnal precipitation over the Maritime ContinentThe MJO modulates the amplitude, timing, and propagation of diurnal precipitation through a combination of varying large‐scale and local circulations and convectionThe diurnal precipitation cycle under the MJO modulation varies among islands depending on their size and topography [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unique in situ observations of atmospheric conditions over the Red Sea and the coastal Arabian Peninsula are examined to study the dynamics and regional impacts of the local land‐sea breeze cycle (LSBC). During a 26‐month data record spanning 2008–2011, observed LSBC events occurred year‐round, frequently exhibiting cross‐shore wind velocities in excess of 8 m/s. Observed onshore and offshore features of both the land‐ and sea‐breeze phases of the cycle are presented, and their seasonal modulation is considered. Weather Research and Forecasting climate downscaling simulations and satellite measurements are used to extend the analysis. In the model, the amplitude of the LSBC is significantly larger in the vicinity of the steeper terrain elements encircling the basin, suggesting an enhancement by the associated slope winds. Observed and simulated conditions also reflected distinct gravity‐current characteristics of the intrinsic moist marine air mass during both phases of the LSBC. Specifically, the advance and retreat of marine air mass was directly tied to the development of internal boundary layers onshore and offshore throughout the period of study. Convergence in the lateral moisture flux resulting from this air mass ascending the coastal topography (sea‐breeze phase) as well as colliding with air masses from the opposing coastline (land‐breeze phase) further resulted in cumulous cloud formation and precipitation. Key Points: sea‐breeze observationsland‐sea‐air interactionsmesoscale moisture transport dynamics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An idealized convection‐permitting simulation is performed to investigate the physical mechanisms responsible for the nighttime offshore propagation of convection around tropical islands. An idealized island is placed in the middle of a long, nonrotating channel oceanic domain with constant sea surface temperature. A strong diurnal cycle typical of a tropical island is simulated, with a thermally forced sea breeze in daytime and the associated inland propagation of precipitation. Offshore propagation of a land breeze and its associated convection is simulated every night but with varying extent. Gravity waves of first and second baroclinic modes trigger convection far from the coast if the offshore conditions are favorable. This accelerates the propagation speed of the land breeze as it reduces the onshore wind associated with the lower branch of the overturning large‐scale circulation. Higher‐order modes may trigger convection or reinforce existing convection but less systematically. The distance of propagation is particularly sensitive to humidity and temperature at the top of the boundary layer, with occasional incursions of a dry anomaly at the top of the boundary layer near the island preventing convection from developing far from the island. Plain Language Summary: Climate models have problems modeling the precipitation pattern, timing, and atmospheric circulation associated with tropical island regions. This impacts the prediction of planetary scale events such as the Madden‐Julian Oscillation. Part of this problem originates from the poor representation of islands and their topography, which affects the diurnal cycle of convection over land and the surrounding oceans. This diurnal cycle generates a sea breeze during daytime, which triggers convection over the island in the afternoon, early evening. At night, the breeze reverses and becomes a land breeze that propagates over the ocean. In order to understand what controls this offshore propagation, we study the movement of convection around an idealized tropical island. We show that a land breeze is systematically present even though its distance of propagation depends on the presence of offshore convection triggered by gravity waves earlier and on the humidity and temperature between 1 and 2 km of altitude close to coast. Properly modeling these individual elements may improve the precipitation pattern and atmospheric circulation around tropical islands and be beneficial for improving the representation of atmospheric phenomenons impacted by these regions. Key Points: Systematic offshore propagation of convection is observed at night, with varying distance of propagationOffshore convection triggered by gravity waves modulates the propagation speed of the land breezeLarge‐scale environment controls propagation with a dry and warm anomaly at the top of the boundary layer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we studied the characteristics of locally and remotely generated wind waves in the inner‐shelf region of northwestern Bay of Bengal (BoB) based on the measured wave data. Two well‐differentiated wave systems, one young sea from the east‐southeast and another more developed swell from the south lead to bimodality in the wave spectrum. Wind‐sea predominance is not observed in the monthly average wave spectrum and in all the months swells dominated indicating a swell‐driven wave regime. During the monsoon (JJAS), the wave climate is dominated by long‐period swell from the south‐southeast and the short fetch during the northeast monsoon (ONDJ) leads to weaker easterly swells, while the effects of the sea/land breeze influence on the wave generation are more relevant during this season. During November–April, diurnal variation of 0.15 m in significant wave height (SWH) is observed. The study based on seasonally averaged ERA‐Interim reanalysis data reveals a weak connection between the waves in the northwestern BoB and the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events. The waves are influenced by ENSO events during June–September and by IOD events during October–January, which consequently caused inter‐annual variations in monthly average SWH. The present study, however, did not show a significant inter‐annual variability in annual mean SWH during 1979–2015. (a) Swell‐driven wave regime in northwestern Bay of Bengal. (b) Significant inter‐annual variability in annual mean SWH not observed. (c) ENSO and IOD events have a weak connection on the waves, (d) High‐frequency (>0.25 Hz) tail of the wave spectrum is between −3.5 and −2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A numerical wave model is applied to study the wind‐generated wave in the Southern California Bight (SCB). Observational data available in this area are used to validate the numerical model results. The model is integrated for 10 years (2004–2013). The comparison of the model results with observations shows that the model well reproduces the wave variations in the SCB. The multiple‐scale variations in the wavefield are examined: interannual, seasonal, intraseasonal, and diurnal. The significant wave height and swell wave height distributions display distinct patterns during different seasons. On the interannual scale, the wave variation in the SCB is influenced by El Niño–Southern Oscillation activities. Intraseasonal scale events occur frequently. Land/sea breezes cause the diurnal variation. The effects of topography (especially islands) and currents on waves are analyzed. The islands in the SCB provide significant sheltering effects to the coast from deep‐ocean waves. The effect of background currents on waves is discussed. Plain Language Summary: A numerical model is used to simulate the wind waves in the Southern California Bight (SCB). The analysis of the model results together with the observational data show that the wind waves in the SCB vary from season to season, from year to year, events with periods from a few days to tens of days happen frequently, and waves near the coast change directions in 24 hr. The effects of currents and topography on the waves are discussed. Key Points: A numerical wave model is integrated for 10 years to study the wind‐generated waves in the SCBThe analysis of the model results and the observational data shows that the wind‐generated waves in the SCB vary in multiple temporal scalesEffects of currents and topography on waves in the SCB are investigated [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There exists a minor, secondary early-morning peak in mei-yu rainfall along the western coast of Taiwan, and this work investigates one such event on June 8, 2012 in southwestern Taiwan under weak synoptic conditions through both observational analysis and numerical modeling, with the main focus on the triggering mechanism of the convection. Observations indicate that the convection developed offshore around midnight near the leading edge of a moderate low-level southwesterly wind surge of 15 - 20 kts and intensified and moved onshore to produce rainfall. The cold outflow from precipitation also led to new cell development at the backside, and the rain thus lasted for several hours until approximately 07:00 LST. Numerical simulation using a cloud-resolving model at a grid size of 0.5 km successfully reproduced the event development in close agreement with the observations, once a time delay in the arrival of the southwesterly wind surge in initial/boundary conditions (from global analyses) was corrected. Aided by two sensitivity tests, the model results indicate that the convection breaks out between two advancing boundaries, one from the onshore surge of the prevailing southwesterly wind and the other from the offshore land/mountain breeze, when they move approximately 40 km apart. Additionally, both boundaries are required, as either one alone does not provide sufficient forcing to initiate deep convection in the model. These findings on the initiation of offshore convection in the mei-yu season, notably, are qualitatively similar to some cases in Florida with two approaching sea-breeze fronts (in daytime over land). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the large uncertainties in the methane (CH 4 ) emission estimates and the large spatial gaps in its measurements, studies on near-surface CH 4 on regional basis become highly relevant. This paper presents the first time observational results of a study on the impacts of mesoscale meteorology on the temporal variations of near-surface CH 4 at a tropical coastal station, in India. It is based on the in-situ measurements conducted during January 2014 to August 2016, using an on-line CH 4 analyzer working on the principle of gas chromatography. The diurnal variation shows a daytime low (1898–1925 ppbv) and nighttime high (1936–2022 ppbv) extending till early morning hours. These changes are closely associated with the mesoscale circulations, namely Sea Breeze (SB) and Land Breeze (LB), as obtained through the meteorological observations, WRF simulations of the circulations and the diurnal variation of boundary layer height as observed by the Microwave Radiometer Profiler. The diurnal enhancement always coincides with the onset of LB. Several cases of different onset timings of LB were examined and results presented. The CH 4 mixing ratio also exhibits significant seasonal patterns being maximum in winter and minimum in pre-monsoon/monsoon with significant inter-annual variations, which is also reflected in diurnal patterns, and are associated with changing synoptic meteorology. This paper also presents an analysis of in-situ measured near-surface CH 4 , column averaged and upper tropospheric CH 4 retrieved by Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) onboard Earth Observing System (EOS)/Aqua which gives insight into the vertical distribution of the CH 4 over the location. An attempt is also made to estimate the instantaneous radiative forcing for the measured CH 4 mixing ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment was conducted on the northern Yucatan coast from April 1 to April 12, 2014 to investigate the role of intense wind events on coastal circulation from the inner shelf to the swash zone. The study area is characterized by a micro-tidal environment, low-energy wave conditions, and a wide and shallow continental shelf. Furthermore, easterly trade winds, local breezes, and synoptic-scale events, associated with the passage of cold-fronts known as Nortes , are ubiquitous in this region. Currents were measured concurrently at different cross-shore locations during both local and synoptic-scale intense wind events to investigate the influence of different forcing mechanisms (i.e., large-scale currents, winds, tides, and waves) on the nearshore circulation. Field observations revealed that nearshore circulation across the shelf is predominantly alongshore-directed (westward) during intense winds. However, the mechanisms responsible for driving instantaneous spatial and temporal current variability depend on the weather conditions and the across-shelf location. During local strong sea breeze events ( W > 10 m s -1 from the NE) occurring during spring tide, westward circulation is controlled by the tides, wind, and waves at the inner-shelf, shallow waters, and inside the surf/swash zone, respectively. The nearshore circulation is relaxed during intense land breeze events ( W ≈ 9 m s -1 from the SE) associated with the low atmospheric pressure system that preceded a Norte event. During the Norte event ( W max ≈ 15 m s -1 from the NNW), westward circulation dominated outside the surf zone and was correlated to the Yucatan Current, whereas wave breaking forces eastward currents inside the surf/swash zone. The latter finding implies the existence of large alongshore velocity shear at the offshore edge of the surf zone during the Norte event, which enhances mixing between the surf zone and the inner shelf. These findings suggest that both sea breezes and Nortes play an important role in sediment and pollutant transport along/across the nearshore of the Yucatan shelf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An observational analysis was conducted in five different cities in Eastern Amazonia, in order to detect the breeze circulations in the region. The frequency of wind direction, wind speed, and precipitation was analyzed along with estimated spatio-temporal rainfall through the Climate Prediction Center Morphing Technique ( CMORPH). The results show different types of breezes that occur in these cities, with regular time from 0900-2100 UTC for SB (sea breeze), 0000-0900 UTC for LB (land breeze), and 1200-0000 UTC for RB (river breeze). The SB has been shown to be more frequent from September to November ( SON), while the LB is more prominent from March to May ( MAM). However, the RB highlights throughout the whole year in Belém. The hour of occurrence of the SB circulation and the precipitation along the coast has shown a relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wintertime cold outbreaks were studied via a 2-D numerical model set across an 80 km wide non-frozen sea gulf along 60°N (‘Gulf of Finland’). In calm conditions, land breezes develop over both coasts with relatively large along-shore wind components. The mid-gulf convergence of the colliding land breezes leads to a moderate rising motion at about 600 m height, forcing bands of low cloud and snowfall along the gulf, whereas the near-surface horizontal wind shear may induce ‘mini-hurricanes’. A weak large-scale cold outbreak across the gulf distorts the land breeze cells, damping the rising motion, whereas a moderate cross-coast outbreak modifies them into a typical heat island circulation pattern with only a modest rising motion over a flat windward shore. A cold outbreak along the non-frozen gulf leads to strong heat transfer from the sea. This maintains the embedded coastal land breeze circulations that contribute to a double low-level jet structure. The strongest rising motion was obtained for surface winds blowing along the gulf. It is suggested that the Swedish Gävle snowstorm of December 1998 was such a case.

Due to its coastal situation, the Caen area is regularly subject to sea and land breezes in summertime. To apprehend this phenomenon we used existing documents and data (Méteo France) and our own data acquired during previous measuring field campaigns in 2003, 2004 and 2005. This article seeks to provide a new study on the variability in space and in time of the breezes in relation to the topography and the land-use in the Caen area. This study concludes with the necessity of taking into account all the phenomena occurring from the continental scale to the microlocal scale so as to understand the sea and land breezes.

Convection-permitting numerical experiments using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model are performed to examine the diurnal cycles of land and sea breeze and its related precipitation over the south China coastal region during the mei-yu season. The focus of the analyses is a 10-day simulation initialized with the average of the 0000 UTC gridded global analyses during the 2007-09 mei-yu seasons (11 May-24 June) with diurnally varying cyclic lateral boundary conditions. Despite differences in the rainfall intensity and locations, the simulation verified well against averages of 3-yr ground-based radar, surface, and CMORPH observations and successfully simulated the diurnal variation and propagation of rainfall associated with the land and sea breeze over the south China coastal region. The nocturnal offshore rainfall in this region is found to be induced by the convergence line between the prevailing low-level monsoonal wind and the land breeze. Inhomogeneity of rainfall intensity can be found along the coastline, with heavier rainfall occurring in the region with coastal orography. In the night, the mountain-plain solenoid produced by the coastal terrain can combine with the land breeze to enhance offshore convergence. In the daytime, rainfall propagates inland with the inland penetration of the sea breeze, which can be slowed by the coastal mountains. The cold pool dynamics also plays an essential role in the inland penetration of precipitation and the sea breeze. Dynamic lifting produced by the sea-breeze front is strong enough to produce precipitation, while the intensity of precipitation can be dramatically increased with the latent heating effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]