Surface Air Flow in Coastal Southern Califonia

Abstract

Resultant winds are presented at hourly values for each month in 1972 at three sampling sites located in coastal southern California. The end point of the onshore flow vector during certain afternoon hours describes either a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation. The counterclockwise movements are not likely related to topographic restraints but are probably caused by other factors. The land breeze has two distinct offshore flow regimes at each individual site, especially during the month of December. These two flow regimes generally display opposite vector rotational characteristics through time. During the summer months, the land breeze is not present in the mean, but is replaced by a flow that generally parallels the coast.