A mathematical model has been developed to describe the transient heat and fluid flow fields in gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). The transient development and diminution of the weld pool at two periods after the arc ignites and extinguishes are analysed quantitatively. The data for the weld pool configurations under different welding conditions from the transient state to the quasi-steady state are obtained. The time for the weld pool shape to reach the quasi-steady state and the time for the weld pool to solidify completely are predicted. GTAWexperiments show that the predictions of the weld pool shape based on the model are in agreement with the measured values. The numerical results of the dynamic development and diminution of weld pool configurations could be used to correlate the transient characteristics of weld pool behaviour with the occurrence of weld formation defects.