Kystvind

Kystvind, or coastal wind, is the wind pattern that develops along coastlines as a result of temperature differences between land and sea. It is most noticeable in temperate coastal regions and is often dominated by a diurnal cycle: on sunny days the land heats up faster than the sea, creating a pressure gradient that drives cooler air from sea to land, producing onshore winds known as sea breeze. At night the situation can reverse, with a land breeze blowing from land to sea as the land cools more quickly.

The strength and structure of kystvind are affected by several factors, including sea surface temperature, coastal topography, and regional weather systems. In addition to the basic sea and land breeze motions, interactions with fjords, mountains, and peninsulas can create coastal jets, accelerated wind along certain stretches, or localized sea breeze fronts that can march inland under suitable conditions.

Kystvind has practical implications for coastal weather forecasting, marine navigation, and the dispersion of air pollutants. It can influence local temperatures, humidity, and cloud formation near the coast, and it is a consideration for the siting and operation of coastal wind farms.

Meteorological observation of kystvind relies on surface weather stations near coastlines, coastal meteorological networks, weather models, and sometimes remote sensing. A typical signature is a daytime shift in wind direction from sea to land, followed by an opposite shift at night, with spatial variability tied to coast geometry. The magnitude and timing of kystvind vary with latitude, season, and local coastal features.