Winds

The wind in simple terms is the horizontal movement of Air. This horizontal movement is caused by differences in air pressure within our atmosphere. Wind under high pressure moves toward areas of low pressure.

Land Breezes

This process takes place for the duration of the night and the above-mentioned process gets reversed. Both the land and the sea start cooling down when the sunsets. As the heat capacity of the land is different from the sea it cools down quicker. Thus, a low-pressure situation develops over the sea as the temperature above it is higher when compared to the land.

Sea Breezes

This process takes place for the duration of the day. Both the sea and the land surface are heated up by the sun. The sea heats up slower than the land because it has a much higher heat capacity. Thus, the temperature over the land surface increases, in turn, heating up the surrounding air.

Land breeze vs sea breeze

Based on various factors they are differentiated as:

Time

Land breezes are created during the night.

During the day, a sea wind forms.

Source

Land breeze comes from the ground, whereas sea breeze comes from the water.

Depth

Because the air over land cools in a shallower layer at night, the land breeze is also shallower than the sea breeze.

Season

Because of the substantial temperature differences between land and ocean, sea breezes are more common in the spring and summer.
Land breezes, on the other hand, are more common in the fall and winter because of the cooler nights.

Strength

Because of the larger temperature variations, sea breezes are generally stronger than land breezes.

Moisture

Because of the absorbed particles from bodies of water, sea breezes have higher moisture.
Land breezes, on the other hand, are frequently dry winds.

During the winter months

Sea breezes, unlike land breezes, are rarely seen during the winter months.
Land breezes are predominant in affecting weather during such frigid months, especially when a strong change in wind direction happens at night.

Glider pilots will benefit from this

Glider pilots, in particular, use the sea breeze to help them steer at higher altitudes.
Sea breezes, unlike land breezes, are strong enough to affect aircraft operations.

Reduced Air Temperature

Sea breezes are more likely to induce a drop in air temperature, but land breezes do not typically cause temperature changes.

Key facts

Both breezes can be found near the seaside.
Precipitation rates, humidity levels, and atmospheric temperature are all affected by land and sea winds.
Sea breezes come from the ocean or other big bodies of water, whereas land breezes come from the land.
The main difference is due to water’s ability to hold heat and warm up faster than land.
Off-shore winds refer to land breezes, whereas on-shore winds refer to sea breezes.
A land breeze forms at night, whereas a sea breeze forms during the day.
Land winds are more common in the fall and winter, while sea breezes are more common in the spring and summer.
Generally speaking, land breezes are weaker than sea breezes. Sea breezes are therefore very important to glider pilots and other associated aircraft operators.
Land breezes are usually slower than sea breezes.
Land breezes are usually dry, whereas sea breezes are more humid.
During the winter, land breezes predominate over sea breezes.
Sea breezes, unlike land breezes, can drastically reduce air temperature.