Characteristics of Land-Sea Breeze Circulations along the West Coast of West Sumatra Using Observations and WRF-ARW Simulations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70561/geocelebes.v10i2.52334Keywords:
Atmospheric Dynamics, Coastal Circulation, Land–Sea Breeze, West Sumatra, WRF-ARWAbstract
Land–sea breeze circulation is an important mesoscale atmospheric phenomenon in tropical coastal areas, yet its behavior and interaction with complex topography remain insufficiently understood along the west coast of West Sumatra. This study examined land–sea breeze characteristics and atmospheric dynamics during the 2025 dry season using Automatic Weather Station (AWS) observations and Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) simulations with the Advanced Research WRF (WRF-ARW) dynamical core. Events were identified using a modified Six Filters method, and three representative cases were selected for numerical simulation and detailed atmospheric analysis. Model performance was evaluated against surface observations, while horizontal, vertical, and time–height analyses examined circulation evolution and structure. A total of 51 events were identified at AWS Digi Minangkabau. Sea-breeze circulation generally developed between 02 and 03 UTC and reached its mature phase between 06 and 09 UTC. WRF-ARW reproduced the observed evolution of near-surface temperature and wind fields and captured the main circulation characteristics. Marine air penetrated inland toward the foothills of the Bukit Barisan, where strong convergence and upward motion occurred. The circulation was mainly confined to the lower troposphere, with a typical depth of 1–2 km and a defined return flow aloft. These findings indicate that land–sea breeze evolution is influenced by differential land–sea heating and topographic modulation by the Bukit Barisan.
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