An automated sea breeze selection technique based on regional sea‐level pressure difference: WeMOi

A recently defined regional teleconnection pattern for the western Mediterranean basin (western Mediterranean Oscillation, WeMO) has allowed an objective quantification of the synoptic circulation factor on the occurrence of sea breezes. The associated WeMO index (WeMOi) can be used as an initial objective filter for selecting ideal surface pressure conditions for sea breeze development. Applying this filter to the sea breeze database created for Alicante (reference synoptic station) and performing a manual selection method for the 2‐year period (1999–2000), we confirmed the potential use of this objective primary criterion. We used wind speed (WS) and direction (WD) data from 9 coastline meteorological stations to assess the WeMOi applicability to the Iberian Mediterranean coast and the Balearic Isles. The [−1, 1] threshold interval of the daily WeMOi was seen to be a good proxy for detecting weak pressure gradients at surface level. Observational and numerical sea breeze studies require quality databases in order to analyse in depth the main characteristics and physical processes controlling sea breezes. This automated selection technique enabled us to improve the accuracy and processing time of the filter methods for finding sea breeze days by adding a new objective criterion. This new threshold technique [−1, 1], based on regional sea‐level pressure (SLP) difference, is adaptable to any coastal region at mid‐latitudes where a regional barometric dipole can be defined. A regional teleconnection pattern, such as the WeMOi, could be used as a suitable tool for forecasting sea breeze occurrence. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society