What's an ITCZ... ?

[BlueSkyNick]

What\'s an ITCZ... ?

As in the forecast for Metarea II today,

ITCZ along 6N10W 3N20W EQ30W EQ50W.

When do I need to care?

 

[NorthernMonkey]

Re: What\'s an ITCZ... ?

Were the northerly flowing wind in the south meets the southerly flowing air from the north, air rises, causing huge thunderstorms near the equator.

Short for Inter Tropical Convergence Zone

 

[Deleted member 478]

Re: What\'s an ITCZ... ?

More widely known as the doldrums

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re: What\'s an ITCZ... ?

Great, thanks guys.

its great when a thread lasts 10minutes and gives a clear and concise answer !

 

[tome]

Re: What\'s an ITCZ... ?

What do you mean exactly?

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Re: What\'s an ITCZ... ?

not sure what you are asking me, either!

WHat I mean is that in the MetArea II forecast which I get from http://www.meteo.fr/marine/naviweb/bulletins/ATL_LARGE.html

there is always a line for ITCZ, whose co-ords obviously change every day. I didnt know what it meant but do now.

My second question about when should I care was so I could work out if it could affect me off Iberia or in Biscay, which I am now assuming it wont.

 

[NorthernMonkey]

Re: What\'s an ITCZ... ?

The ITCZ moves north and south with the sun as the seasons change, bringing the rain storms north and south with it. Its the reason for wet and dry seasons large parts of africa, monsoons in the indian sub continent, and typhoons in australasia. Not going to bother you much in the Bay of Biscay tho

 

[Oldhand]

Re: What\'s an ITCZ... ?

Not in Central Africa it isn't.