This is the first attempt to test the results of wind-induced current modelling for the northern Adriatic (Kuzmić and Orlić 1987) using space-borne Coastal Zone Colour Scanner (CZCS) data. In particular, new remotely sensed empirical evidence has been sought for the previously studied effect of the spatially heterogeneous bura (gusty, katabatic wind of north-easterly direction) by observing changes in spectral reflectance of the northern Adriatic waters. To that end, an existing hydrodynamical model has been extended to include a simple two-dimensional random walk dispersion model. The CZCS measured radiance has been processed to estimate pigment concentration. Remotely sensed data corroborate mathematical model findings. Comparison of model-generated and sensor-collected information strongly suggests that bura-induced gyre is the mechanism responsible for particular spatial pattern change observed in the CZCS detected radiance and estimated pigment concentration.