FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)OperationsMedium
A remote pilot is conducting a sUAS inspection flight near a large body of water during the day. The weather forecast indicates light, variable winds. However, the pilot notices a consistent breeze blowing from the water towards the shore, which was not explicitly forecasted. What local weather phenomenon is most likely causing this consistent breeze?
- AMountain winds
- BAnabatic winds
- CKatabatic winds
- DSea breeze
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Sea breeze
A sea breeze is a local wind system that forms during the day when the land heats up faster than the adjacent water. The warmer air over the land rises, creating a low-pressure area, and cooler, denser air from over the water flows inland to replace it.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Mountain winds are associated with mountainous terrain, not typically large bodies of water and flat shorelines.
- B. Anabatic winds are upslope winds, typically occurring during the day, which is not applicable to a flat shoreline.
- C. Katabatic winds are downslope winds, typically occurring at night or in cold regions, flowing from high to low elevation.
Sea Breeze
A local wind system that forms during the day along coastlines due to the differential heating rates of land and water. Land heats faster, creating a low-pressure area, drawing cooler air from over the water inland.
- Occurs during the day.
- Air flows from water to land.
- Caused by differential heating of land and water.
Memory trick: Sea breeze by day, water's cool way.