Conceptual model for Sea-Breeze development in Fuerteventura

Abstract

The sea breeze is a mesoscale phenomenon that occurs in all coastal areas around the world. In the present study, it is analysed in the Canary archipelago, specifically in the island of Fuerteventura. This region is located in the North Atlantic Ocean, near the African continent, in the subtropical zone. The aim is to develop a conceptual model of the sea breezes in this island. To achieve this objective, the database of the state meteorological agency (AEMET) was used to observe the weather of Fuerteventura in the six stations spread over the island. The HRES-IFS model was also used to analyse the synoptic environment of the Canary Islands area and for simulated soundings. The WRF model was used to forecast meteorological variables at different altitudes and for vertical cross sections. In addition, satellite images from the MSG of the HRVIS channel were used to observe the clouds that form in the passage of the sea breeze. To describe the evolution of the sea breeze, two specific days will be studied in which there were strong breezes that entered to the central areas of the island, these days are 18 March 2017 and 5 April 2020. From these days, it has been concluded that the sea breeze in Fuerteventura is produced by a change in the wind direction from a NE component (trade winds) to a maritime component (SE component) that depends on synoptic conditions. Furthermore, there must be a minimum temperature difference of at least 2º C between sea and land to originate the movement of air from the ocean to inland. As result, two breeze circulations are formed at the same time, a breeze circulation to windward, the most studied, and another breeze circulation occurs to leeward. With all the results obtained, it has been possible to create a conceptual model of sea breeze in Fuerteventura at temporal and spatial scales to improve the knowledge of this phenomenon in the chosen area.