High resolution numerical simulations of the Adriatic Sea using the Navy Coastal Ocean Model (NCOM) and Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPStm) were conducted to examine the impact of coupling strategy (one-way vs. two-way, where in two-way coupling the atmosphere interacts with SST generated by the ocean model) on the ocean and atmosphere forecast skill. The ocean and atmosphere utilized 2-km and 4-km resolution grids, respectively. The evolution of the atmospheric and oceanic boundary layers over the course of a bora episode is examined. Validation of model results using remotely sensed and in situ measurements of ocean temperature along with over-water gas platform and coastal wind observations demonstrates the skill afforded by a two-way coupled model. In particular, satellite MCSST data is used to evaluate model-derived SST following a bora event. The two-way coupled simulation had lower mean bias and RMS error compared to the one-way coupled simulation. Additionally, the two-way coupled model produced lower mean wind speeds that accorded better with measurements than did the values from the one-way coupled model. The effect of the high-resolution SST is to reduce the atmospheric instability in the two-way coupled model relative to the one-way coupled model - thereby creating a stabilizing effect. This leads to slower (more realistic) wind speeds in the two-way coupled simulation.