A Numerical Study of a Sea Breeze at Fuerteventura Island, Canary Islands, Spain

Abstract

The genesis and evolution of a sea-breeze front associated with a shallow convection episode at Fuerteventura Island (Canaries archipelago) are investigated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical model. Three local and two non-local planetary boundary layer (PBL) parametrization schemes are used, and results of the numerical simulations are compared with observations from the local meteorological surface station network. Statistical analysis shows a good agreement between simulations and measurements, in particular for the 2-m temperature. These results are used in choosing the final PBL scheme and its coupled surface-layer scheme, which is used to simulate the daytime period of the sea-breeze development and weakening. During this episode, a sea-breeze front moved inland against a prevailing offshore flow 3 h after sunrise, colliding with a downslope flow near the centre of the island. The convergence of both flows from opposing directions produced a strong updraft, forming shallow convection a few hours later.