Specific features of heat exchange between the Black Sea and the atmosphere in winter in 1971-1991

The reanalysis ofthree-dimensional fields of water temperature and velocity ofcurrents in the Black Sea in January-March in 1971-1991 is used for studying the spatial distribution of sea surface temperature, heat content of the upper layer, and heat fluxes on the sea surface near the Caucasian coast and the southern coast of Crimea. It is demonstrated that a warm current in the upper layer of the sea and the high values of the heat flux from the sea to the atmosphere are observed in these areas in winter. The possible effect of the above features on the interannual variability of winter air temperature in Sochi and Yalta is assessed.