The flow and heat transfer characteristics of an isolated square cylinder in crossflow placed symmetrically in a planar slit have been investigated for the range of conditions as 1 ≤ Re ≤ 45, 0.7 ≤ Pr ≤ 4000 (Pe ≤ 4000) and β = 1/8, 1/6 and 1/4. Heat transfer correlations have been obtained in the steady flow regime for the constant temperature and constant heat flux boundary conditions on the solid square cylinder in crossflow. In addition, variation of the local Nusselt number on each face of the obstacle and representative isotherm plots are presented to elucidate the role of Prandtl number and blockage ratio on drag coefficient and heat transfer. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.