Research Progress and Prospect of Sea Breeze Front Triggering Convection Initiation

The sea breeze front (SBF) is a mesoscale frontal system formed at the leading edge of the sea breeze circulation, similar to the characteristics of a cold front. It is one of the main triggering mechanisms for strong convective weather in coastal areas. The study on the physical process of the SBF-triggering convection is a critical and difficult problem in coastal mesoscale meteorology, and it is also a key point for the enhancement of the short-term forecast and nowcast capabilities for local sudden strong convective weather in coastal areas. To deepen the understanding of the convection initiation mechanism triggered by the SBF and systematically review the latest research findings, this paper outlines the basic characteristics of the SBF, such as their horizontal and vertical structural features, vertical extension height, inland propagation distance, and movement speed. It focuses on summarizing the observation and numerical simulation results of convection initiation triggered by the interactions between the SBF and other boundary-layer convergence systems, including gust fronts, weak cold fronts, urban heat islands, horizontal convective rolls, lake (river) breeze fronts, and bore. The research results show that these interaction processes can regulate the timing, location, and intensity of convection by altering local dynamic and thermal conditions. The study provides scientific basis for elucidating the mechanisms of local convection initiation and optimizing the forecasting and warning models for sudden strong convective weather. In view of the drawbacks in the research, such as insufficient fine-scale boundary-layer observation capabilities and unclear mechanism of regional differences, it is suggested that future research should focus on strengthening the development of multi-element collaborative detection technologies for the boundary layer and conducting studies on the climatological statistical characteristics and physical mechanism of the interactions between the SBF and other boundary-layer convergence systems in different climatic regions, in pursuit of further improving the theoretical system of the SBF-triggering convection initiation.