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A STUDY OF THE SEA-BREEZE CIRCULATION BY EXAMINING THE SEA-BREEZE FRONT USING PETTERSSEN’S FROTOGENESIS FUNCTION Brian Charles Zachry Department of Marine Environmental Systems Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, Florida 32901 June 28, 2004 The sea breeze was studied from May 25, 2004 through May 27, 2004 in east central Florida. Temperature, temperature advection, convergence, winds (surface and upper-level) and frontogenesis at the surface were plotted on “Garp” to assess each day. Four grid points on the RUC were used to determine mean values for surface frontogenesis, temperature gradients and convergence. Surface frontogenesis was studied based on two components; the temperature gradient and the surface convergence over the area. A strong relationship between the synoptic flow and subsequent strength and inland penetration associated with the sea breeze front was observed on these days. Correlation of the largest temperature gradients and convergence determined the strength of frontogenesis. On May 25, northeasterly synoptic scale flow resulted in a diffuse sea breeze, with minimal frontogenesis and deep inland penetration. A weak westerly flow regime occurred on May 26, resulting in a stronger sea breeze front, greater frontogenesis and less inland penetration. A well-defined sea breeze front with minimal inland penetration developed on May 27 during a westerly flow regime ( 10 m/s). Frontogenesis was used to determine why or why not a defined sea breeze front formed, the characteristics of the front and how it evolved throughout the day. 1. INTRODUCTION Land-Sea Breeze Circulation During the spring to autumn months in Florida, a sea breeze is often observed during the late morning and early afternoon hours in response to land and water contrasts (the Florida peninsula and the Atlantic Ocean). The land-sea breeze is a thermally direct, diurnally reversible, mesoscale circulation. This circulation general