Consider the diurnal wind systems operating along the tropical coastline of Kerala: Statement I: Land breezes develop during the night because the adjoining Arabian Sea retains heat longer than the mainland, creating a relative low-pressure area over the water. Statement II: The Coriolis force completely nullifies the initiation of sea breezes within tropical latitudes near the equator. Which of the following is correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Statement I is correct because differential radiational cooling between land and water during nighttime causes air over the warmer sea to rise, creating a low-pressure zone that draws offshore land breezes. Statement II is incorrect because while the Coriolis parameter approaches zero directly at the equator, Kerala lies around 8 to 12 degrees north latitude where the Coriolis force is weak yet fully operational in turning local winds. Land and sea breezes are classic thermal circulations driven by diurnal temperature contrasts between landmasses and adjacent oceans.