Abstract
The variability of land–sea surface temperature contrasts in the Black Sea region and its relation with wind dynamics in coastal areas is investigated using satellite measurements and the results of high_resolution regional models. The seasonal and interannual variability of winds is shown to be strongly correlated with the dynamics of temperature contrasts at least in the western and southeastern parts of the basin. This indicates that the local monsoon effect is an important mechanism for the formation of atmospheric circulation in the region. The temporal variability of surface temperature contrasts and the intensity of alongshore winds in the Black Sea region is investigated.