| Summary: | This article reviews the existing coupled models of ocean and sea ice used in climate studies, and describes the methods used to realize their coupling. The role of sea ice in the climate system is first described. Then a brief history of uncoupled sea-ice modelling is presented, following a hierarchical approach. The coupling of ocean and sea ice is divided into three areas: heat, momentum, and salt. Each area of coupling is reviewed in detail. Typical examples of coupled sea-ice/ocean models are discussed. An example application of a coupled model to the simulation of the Weddell Polynya is presented. It is shown that above-freezing sea-suface temperature in the polynya area is associated with intense convection, and that ice divergence helps to precondition the area for overturning. Perspectives on possible and needed progress in coupled ocean/sea-ice modelling are outlined.
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