<P> A sea breeze or onshore breeze is any wind that blows from a large body of water toward or onto a landmass ; it develops due to differences in air pressure created by the differing heat capacities of water and dry land . As such , sea breezes are more localised than prevailing winds . Because land absorbs solar radiation far more quickly than water , a sea breeze is a common occurrence along coasts after sunrise . By contrast , a land breeze or offshore breeze is the reverse effect : dry land also cools more quickly than water and , after sunset , a sea breeze dissipates and the wind instead flows from the land towards the sea . Sea breezes and land breezes are both important factors in coastal regions ' prevailing winds . The term offshore wind may refer to any wind over open water . </P>
what is the flow of cooler air from the land towards the sea called
offshore breeze