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Idealized Large-Eddy Simulations of Sea and Lake Breezes: Sensitivity to Lake Diameter, Heat Flux and Stability

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Abstract

Idealized large-eddy simulations of lake and sea breezes are conducted to determine the sensitivity of these thermally-driven circulations to variations in the land-surface sensible heat flux and initial atmospheric stability. The lake-breeze and sea-breeze metrics of horizontal wind speed, horizontal extent, and depth are assessed. Modelled asymmetries about the coastline in the horizontal extent of the low-level onshore flow are found to vary as a function of the heat flux and stability. Small lake breezes develop similarly to sea breezes in the morning, but have a significantly weaker horizontal wind-speed component and a smaller horizontal extent than sea breezes in the afternoon.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Utah, 135 S 1460 E Room 819 WBB, Salt Lake City, UT, 84112-0110, USA

    Erik T. Crosman & John D. Horel

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  1. Erik T. Crosman
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  2. John D. Horel
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Correspondence to Erik T. Crosman.

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Crosman, E.T., Horel, J.D. Idealized Large-Eddy Simulations of Sea and Lake Breezes: Sensitivity to Lake Diameter, Heat Flux and Stability. Boundary-Layer Meteorol 144, 309–328 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-012-9721-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10546-012-9721-x

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