Land Breeze

A local offshore wind produced when land cools more quickly than adjacent water, usually at night or near dawn.

Cooler, denser air over land creates a pressure difference that drives low-level flow towards the relatively warmer water, with a compensating return flow aloft. The circulation is the nocturnal counterpart of a sea breeze.

Strength and direction are modified by coastline shape, terrain, background wind, stability and season. A land breeze is not guaranteed and may be masked or reversed by the larger-scale weather pattern.