Question Hi Donald,
Please help me setttle a debate. A friend of mine lives right off the becah in Rockaway Park, NY. If you walk out of his house the beach is there. I remember hearing Meteorologists state... that it is 10 degrees cooler by the shore. My friend says that it is not true. I personally think that it is cooler by the shore, in fact I feel the difference when I'm by his house, but he continues to tell me it's my imagination. Please help me settle this. Is it, or is it not cooler by the shore?
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sheri Volkes
Answer Hi Sheri
If the ocean temperature is within a degree or two of the air temperature over the "shore" there is no effect other than creating higher humidity if the wind is off the water.
However, when a sea breeze comes off the water in the summer and the temperature of the water is 70 and the land air temperature is 90, you will easily get a 10 degree cooling on shore near the water's edge.
In the winter, the reverse works, colder air over land is modified by the warmer ocean temp if the wind is off the water.
