The present paper examines the influence of evaporation fluxes over the Mediterranean Sea on water flows through the straits of Gibraltar and Sicily. Evaporation fluxes are estimated from European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts atmospheric analyzed fields for the period 1981--1985. An aerological approach is followed to evaluate the net water exchanged between the sea and the atmosphere. The resulting Mediterranean Sea circulation is then deduced from water budget in the sea. Net evaporation is found to be the major forcing for the circulation through the straits. Mean flows through the Strait of Gibraltar are found to be slightly weaker than commonly accepted values but appear to be close to recent estimations. Temporal variations of net evaporation show a relatively important annual cycle which may induce significant annual cycle of water flows through the straits. For each month of the studied period, fluxes are separated into two parts: a steady state flux and transients. Transient atmospheric events generate a net water loss in the Mediterranean and may induce a net water inflow through Gibraltar. The latter flow is suggested to be related to Atlantic/Mediterranean water interface fluctuations. Water sinking is also investigated. It is mainly related to the mean component of atmospheric events in the eastern Mediterranean and to transient events in the western Mediterranean. Atmospheric pressure effect shows a significant variability, especially during winter, and may induce a slight water flow through the straits. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1993