Abstract
Estimates of the heat balance terms based upon the monthly mean meteorological variables were made in the central region of the Red Sea between 21 and 22 degrees N latitudes. The evaporative flux of 165 W m super(-) super(2) (208 cm yr super(-) super(1) ) is close to the accepted annual evaporation of 210 cm. The sensible heat flux and the net long-wave radiation terms are -3 and 57 W m super(-) super(2) , respectively. The observed solar radiation at land stations around the area of study averages similar to 220 W m super(-) super(2) , indicating that the heat lost from the sea surface is balanced by the heat gain.