Why is it windy at the beach?
The ocean heats up much slower and becomes relatively cooler than the beach making it a high pressure zone. The air moves from the water to the land each morning forming a sea breeze. These pressure zones might equal out later in the day and the winds may diminish.
The Short Answer:
Gases move from high-pressure areas to low-pressure areas. And the bigger the difference between the pressures, the faster the air will move from the high to the low pressure. That rush of air is the wind we experience.
When winds exceed 15 mph, its usually bordering on the unpleasant. The winds make it difficult to read, your umbrella might fly off, chairs might be carried away and the sand can be kicked up by the wind, becoming a hazard if it gets into your eyes. Winds below 15 mph can still affect various beach activities.
But while at the beach many beachgoers will notices that it normally gets windy during the day. Why? This wind happens to be the sea breeze. The sea breeze is a thermally produced wind blowing during the day from the cool ocean onto the adjoining warm land.
Wind: The wind tends to be stronger along the shore and over the open water. This is because there is less friction to slow the movement of air. There are no trees and buildings to slow the wind. Be prepared for the potential of windy weather when going out on and near the water especially if the weather is chilly.
Atmospheric Pressure
In addition to helping drive prevailing winds, heat and pressure differences cause variations in local wind direction.
Wind is caused by differences in atmospheric pressure. When a difference in atmospheric pressure exists, air moves from the higher to the lower pressure area, resulting in winds of various speeds blowing in different directions. Was this answer helpful?
Explanation. Winds are caused by the uneven heating of the Earth's surface. The air becomes lighter and rises when it is heated. As a result, a low-pressure area is formed. The air then flows from a high-pressure area to a low-pressure area, causing winds to blow.
Winds blowing from the coast out to sea are the gold standard for most surfers most of the time. The main function of these winds is to delay breaking. All things being equal waves will break in water about 1.3x their depth.
During the day, air above the land heats up faster than air over water. Warm air over land expands and rises, and heavier, cooler air rushes in to take its place, creating wind.
How much wind is too much?
"Damaging high wind" with sustained speeds greater than 58 mph, or frequent wind gusts greater than 58 mph. Damaging wind conditions are consistent with a high wind warning. "A High Threat to Life and Property from High Wind." "High wind" with sustained speeds of 40 to 57 mph.
During the day, the surface warms and the air tends to mix in the vertical, as less dense, heated air rises. More mixing brings the winds down from aloft and thus the winds tend to be stronger.
The places with more air molecules have higher pressure. The areas with fewer air molecules have lower pressure. Air whooshes into the area with lower pressure. That's wind.
That warms the air, causing it to rise. Cooler air rushes in from the ocean to take its place and presto, a wind is born. By late afternoon, a strong breeze can be blowing dozens of miles inland.
As we transition from winter the spring, the amount of daylight is getting longer each day which gives us more time to warm up. The warmer we get in the sunnier parts of the U.S. will cause higher temperature fluctuations and pressure differences which is the cause of wind!
That warms the air, causing it to rise. Cooler air rushes in from the ocean to take its place and presto, a wind is born. By late afternoon, a strong breeze can be blowing dozens of miles inland.
The places with more air molecules have higher pressure. The areas with fewer air molecules have lower pressure. Air whooshes into the area with lower pressure. That's wind.
During the day, the surface warms and the air tends to mix in the vertical, as less dense, heated air rises. More mixing brings the winds down from aloft and thus the winds tend to be stronger.