Difference between Land Breeze and Sea Breeze

Nature is indescribable. There are a lot of places where nature is at its best. One of the best parts of nature is the breeze. We have all studied about two significant kinds of breeze in our primary classes. These are the land breeze and sea breeze. Now, what is a breeze? Well, a breeze is a gentle wind that blows at a certain speed. We come in contact with breeze every day. It is in our surroundings and environment. Both these land breeze and sea breeze occur in or near large water bodies like oceans, sea, etc. Both land and sea breeze are important because they are a kind of relief from the hot and humid climate conditions. Well, it is important to note that we must not confuse wind with the breeze. Both are different. When the air is gently flowing, it is called a breeze. But when the air becomes harsh, it is called wind. Now, let us discuss the definition of land breeze and sea breeze.

Land Breeze

A land breeze is defined as a breeze that flows towards the sea from land. This flowing of breeze takes place at night when there is relative warmth in the sea. The land breeze ends in water. Due to this, an air convergence is produced. In layman's language, the land breeze is the flow of air from land to the sea at night. Land breeze is shallow than the sea breeze. Land breeze is formed at night when the oceans and land lose heat.

The capacity of heat that the land carries becomes low, due to which it cools down rapidly. Examples of places where land breeze happens include oceans, sea, lakes, etc. Land breeze is caused because of the fact that the land cools at a faster rate than the sea at night. Thus, the warm air of the sea rises, and it leads to the cooling of the air, resulting in the land breeze.

Sea Breeze

A sea breeze is defined as the breeze that flows towards the land from the sea. Sea breeze happens during the day. It occurs in summers because there is unequal heating between land and water. The land heats at a faster rate than the water in summers, and due to this, the breeze above land is warmer than the sea. Because of this, the sea breeze takes place. In layman's language, the sea breeze is the breeze that moves from sea to land during the day. In summers, the air above the land is warm, and it rises above to cool in the sea, leading to a sea breeze. For example, the heat in the summer season is moderated by the winds from the mountains in the north (in the month of August and September). The sea breeze is important because it helps in overcoming fatal storms. People living on the East Coast are able to overcome such storms because of the sea breeze. Now, there are a number of contrasting points between the land breeze and sea breeze. So, let us take a look at them.

So, these are some of the significant contrasting points between the land breeze and sea breeze. The temperature is relatively cooler in the sea breeze as compared to the land breeze. Now, both breezes have certain characteristics associated with them. So, let us take a look at them.

Features of Land Breeze & Sea Breeze

1. A land breeze blows from the land towards the water bodies, whereas the sea breeze moves from the water body to the land.
2. Both land breeze and sea breeze are a result of differential heating among water and land.
3. The land breeze and sea breeze leads to climate change for about 32-50 km.
4. Fog and pollution can be dispersed because of these breezes.
5. Energy requirements and circulation patterns of the breeze are affected by both land breeze and sea breeze.
6. The temperature of the land changes for about ten degrees during the day, while the temperature of the water changes only by one degree.
7. Water has a higher heat/ warmth during the day, but it changes during the night in the land breeze.
8. The temperature of the land changes, while the temperature of the water is stable in the sea breeze.
9. The conduction of breezes cools the air above the land or water.
10. In the sea breeze, the land is warm, and it continues to become warmer, resulting in the air above the sea cooling it down. The land becomes cooler due to the sea breeze.
11. The sea breeze is found in the coastal regions, whereas the land breeze is found majorly on the eastern coast.
12. The land breeze blows dry winds, while the sea breeze blows moist winds.

So, these are some of the characteristics of land breeze and sea breeze. Both land and sea breeze have certain differences that are listed above. Both of them are responsible for making the land and water cool during the day and night. Thus, land breeze and sea breeze are essential parts of the environment that helps in lowering the temperatures.