What causes the land breeze to occur during the evening?

The phenomenon of land breeze occurs due to the temperature differences between the land and the sea during the evening. As the day progresses, the land heats up more quickly than the water because of its lower specific heat capacity. However, after sunset, the land also cools down more rapidly than the water.

During the evening, after sunset, the temperature of the land decreases significantly while the water retains warmth due to the heat absorbed during the day. This temperature differential causes the air over the land to cool and become denser, leading it to sink and create an area of high pressure. Conversely, the air over the warmer sea remains less dense and creates an area of lower pressure.

As a result, the cooler, denser air from over the land flows towards the water, creating a land breeze. The choice regarding insufficient insulation to replace terrestrial radiation correctly identifies that the cooling of the land is a key factor in creating the necessary pressure differences that drive the breeze toward the sea.