and sink, which creates a high pressure cell. Meanwhile, the warmer ocean warms the air
above it and creates a low pressure cell. This occurs to a smaller degree at night, since
land cools off faster than the ocean. Winds calledland breezesblow from the high to the
low pressure cell. These local winds blow from the cooler land to the warmer ocean. Some
warmer air from the ocean rises and then sinks on land, causing the temperature over the
land to become warmer.
Figure 15.20: Sea and land breezes. (A) Sea breezes blow from the cooler sea to the warmer
land. This cools the land near shore in summer and in the daytime and moderates coastal
temperatures. (B) Land breezes blow from the cooler land to the warmer sea. This warms
the land near shore in winter and at night and moderates coastal temperatures. ( 21 )
Land and sea breezes are very important because they moderate coastal climates. In the
hot summer, sea breezes cool the coastal area. In the cold winter, land breezes blow cold
air seaward. These breezes moderate coastal temperatures. Land and sea breezes create the
pleasant climate for which Southern California is known.