A visible image for 21 May 1973 obtained from the DMSP satellite suggests the occurrence of internal waves refracting around the Pratas Islands in the South China Sea. Arguments are presented suggesting that the waves are tidally forced along the density interface prevalent for that area during the spring season.

During the winter season, infrared data from meteorological satellites reveal the outline of the Little Bahama Bank and the Great Bahama Bank as cold areas conforming almost precisely to the bathymetry as outlined by the 20 m contour line. During the summer season the effect is reversed and the Banks appear as warm areas, distinct from the deeper water that surrounds them. This paper investigates the winter season phenomena by using a one‐dimensional numerical model to calculate the heat and salt budgets for a variety of atmospheric scenarios including a sudden air temperature drop over the banks as a result of cold frontal passage. It is found that such an event results in shallow water cooling producing distinct temperature fronts and mild salinity fronts. Increased wind speed, under low humidity conditions, maximizes the effect.

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