In a coastal region, mid-afternoon winds can reach as great as 5-10 knots and will cease around sunset. Which statement is correct?

• A. 10-15 knots, ceasing at dawn
• B. 5-10 knots, ceasing at sunset
• C. 15-20 knots, ceasing at noon
• D. 20-25 knots, ceasing at midnight

Answer: (B)

Winds along the coast during the day are driven by a sea breeze: the land heats up faster than the sea, creating air rising over land and drawing cooler air from the sea toward land. This onshore flow strengthens in the afternoon as the temperature difference peaks, often reaching modest speeds like 5-10 knots. After sunset, surface heating drops and the pressure gradient relaxes, so the breeze usually dies down around that time. The statement that matches is that wind speeds are 5-10 knots and cease at sunset. The other options would imply wind conditions or timing that don’t align with the typical daytime sea-breeze pattern, so they’re less consistent with how coastal winds behave between afternoon and sunset.