A 'single point' coupled ocean-atmosphere model is formulated to study seasonal temperature cycles with particular application to shelf seas. The simplified atmospheric module is consistent with the physical processes described by Gill [4] while the vertical exchange of heat in the ocean module is determined via a turbulence closure model. The various empirical coefficients in the atmospheric module were determined by fitting the model output to North Atlantic observational data over the latitude range 0 degrees to 65 degrees N. The model is then applied to the shallow, strongly tidal North Sea. The general validity of the model is demonstrated, thereby indicating that the seasonal cycles of the sea surface, T-s, and ambient air, T-a, are generally... |