What is a sea breeze?

A sea breeze is characterized as an onshore wind that originates from the sea, moving towards the land. This phenomenon occurs primarily during the day when the land heats up faster than the water. The temperature difference creates a pressure gradient, causing cooler, denser air from the sea to move inland, replacing the rising warm air over the land. This results in a refreshing breeze that often helps moderate temperatures in coastal areas during hot weather.

The other potential answers describe different types of winds and meteorological phenomena that do not match the characteristics of a sea breeze. For instance, an offshore wind blowing from land refers to a land breeze, which typically occurs at night when land temperature drops more quickly than that of the sea. Mountain winds and temperature-driven circulation constitute entirely different systems relating to topography and broader atmospheric patterns, further distinguishing them from the specific dynamics of a sea breeze.