ABSTRACT 
Thermal structure of a rectangular area, approximately 220 kilo- 
meters on a side and contiguous to the Continental Shelf northeast 
of Cape Hatteras was investigated by aircraft between 9 October 
1968 and 16 May 1969 with the object of formulating an analysis 
and prediction model. Major features in the area included warm 
water northwest of the Gulf Stream, entrainment of Shelf Water 
into the Gulf Stream system, lateral displacement of the. northern 
edge of the Gulf Stream, and a thermal gradient adjacent to the 
Continental Slope during winter. A simplified model of thermal 
structure describes interaction of observed water masses. 
ALVAN FISHER, JR. 
GERALD A. GOTTHARDT 
ASW Branch 
Oceanographic Prediction Division 
Marine Sciences Department 
