Daily land and sea breezes are typical for many beaches. Some strand sites receive calm to mild winds year-round, some regularly receive strong to moderate winds, and many are strongly affected by winds of violent, catastrophic storms. Strand may have markedly different wind microhabitats on windward and leeward sides of dunes and established plants. To be physiologically significant, the sand must be sufficiently wetted in the region used by roots. Salt spray is a minute aerosol formed above heavy surf, generated when bubbles of saltwater break.
Salt spray is therefore highest at water's edge and decreases dramatically inland.
The vegetation on the ocean-facing edge consequently receives the highest concentrations of salts, but these levels are very weak. The outer edge of vegetation will experience the greatest effects of physical buffeting and salinity from soaking high tides and swells during storm surges. Dry surface sand is mobile. Plants can be damaged by sand blast, roots are sometimes exposed, and shoots frequently are buried by shifting sand, pushed by strong winds. To move sand grains, wind speed must be at least four meters per second.