Review of “River discharge impacts coastal Southeastern Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature and circulation: a model-based analysis”

General comments

Understanding sea surface temperature (SST) and circulation in the southeastern tropical Atlantic is crucial for understanding upwelling dynamics, air-sea interactions, and other related processes. However, the limited availability of in-situ observations in this region has hindered a comprehensive understanding of these dynamics. The objectives of this study are therefore both timely and commendable. This study investigated the impact of river discharge on the mean state SST in coastal western Africa. Through modeling efforts, several scenarios and experiments were conducted to analyze the influence of large river outflows on SST and geostrophic flow in the region. The results indicate that river outflows generate a halosteric effect in the water column, leading to an increase in sea surface height (SSH) and inducing geostrophic circulation in the surface ocean. The resulting SSH gradient drives upwelling and downwelling processes, along with alongshore advection, which collectively alter SST. The paper is well-written, and the analyses are comprehensive, effectively addressing the research questions. However, the following recommendations should be considered for revision prior to acceptance and publication

Specific comments

1. L57: does the barrier layer not strengthen the vertical temperature gradient, hence reducing the impact of vertical mixing?
2. L62: why averaging from surface to 50m depth?
3. L201-225 and Figure 1. It may be helpful to the reader to include the reasons for the biases here. Mainly, what account for the differences? Comment on the fact that the satellite product measures skin temperature while for the model, “surface” temperature is at 3m.
4. L304: The vectors on these plots are hard to see. Please refine.

Technical corrections

1. L31: The “West African” description is a bit confusing. Yes, its on the western part of Africa, but “West Africa” typically refers to the geo-political description.
2. L122: spell out NOAA
3. L127: “of bias-corrected SSS”
4. L132: the spell out of NEMO should come earlier, in L91
5. L139: Congo River discharge has earlier been abbreviated to CRD. Please maintain consistency.