A Two-Dimensional Numerical Investigation of the interaction between Sea Breezes and Deep Convection over the Florida Peninsula

Abstract Deep convection initiated by sea breezes over the Florida peninsula is simulated using a two-dimensional nonhydrostatic model. Reasonable agreement is obtained between model results and observations for the three types of undisturbed days classified by Blanchard and Lopez. The convergence of the east and west coast sea breezes is the primary control on the timing and location of rapid convective development, and this is mainly determined by the low-level winds. The simulated convection is spatially concentrated and does not produce an extensive stratiform region. Sensitivity tests are performed for a variety of wind and thermodynamic profiles, and for different soil moisture contents. During the early stages of these simulations, small convective cells develop in between the sea-breeze fronts. As the outer cells at the sea-breeze fronts deepen these smaller cells are suppressed. Typically, during the midafternoon a new cell explosively develops in between the sea-breeze fronts and the outer cells...