Figure 9 (a). Comparison of data and model temperature distributions. The white lines indicate the depth of the mixed layer. Black lines are contours at intervals of 1 C. (b) Comparison of data and model salinity structure. The white lines are as in 9 (a). Contours are plotted at values of 33.6, 33.2, 32.8, 32.6, 32.5, and 32.4. The shading contrast has been enhanced at salinity less than 32.8 to show the annual cycle at the surface. The precipitation rate in the model was 2.6 times higher than the recorded values, in order to replicate the observations.