Diurnal Wind and Temperature Variations over Lake Ontario

Abstract

Diurnal variations of wind and temperature were obtained from six rawinsonde stations surrounding Lake Ontario during a period favorable for lake breeze occurrence. The wind variations were unexpectedly found to be approximately the same in phase and amplitude at all stations, irrespective of location relative to the lake. The temperature variations were different, depending on whether the stations were located north or south of the lake. The northern stations exhibited diurnal warming above the surface which occurred at a much later time compared to those over the southern stations. Hypotheses are presented to explain the diurnal variations.