Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is the region that circles the Earth, near the equator, where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres come together. Also known by sailors as doldrums. It was originally identified from the 1920s to the 1940s as the Intertropical Front (ITF), but after the recognition in the 1940s and 1950s of the significance of wind field convergence in tropical weather production, the term "ITCZ" was then applied. When it lies near the equator, it is called the near-equatorial through. The ITCZ appears as a band of clouds, usually thunderstorms, that circle the globe near the equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, the trade winds move in a southwestern direction from the northeast, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they move northwestward from the southeast.
South Pacific Convergence Zone (SPCZ)
The South Pacific Convergenze Zone (SPCZ) is a reverse-oriented, or west-northwest to east-southeast aligned, trough extending from the west Pacific warm pool southeastwards towards French Polynesia. It lies just south of the Equator during the Southern Hemisphere warm season, but can be more extratropical in nature, especially east of the International Date Line. It is considered the largest and most important piece of the ITCZ, and has the least dependence upon heating from a nearby land mass during the summer than any other portion of the monsoon trough.
Effects on weather
It may affect the amount of rainfall in many equatorial nations resulting on the wet and dry seasons of the tropics. Longer term changes in the ITCZ may cause severe droughts or flooding in nearby area. In some cases, the ITCZ may become narrow, then, it can be interpreted as a front along the leading edge of the equatorial air. Within the ITCZ, the average are slight. Early sailors named this belt of calm "the doldrums" because of the inactivity and stagnation they found themselves in after days of no wind.
Insight and Reflections
Today I learned that-- monsoon rains are geographical phenomena caused by ciclic air movements changing with the time of year, and some of them are results of the seasonal shifts of the ITCZ and great seasonal temperatue and humidity differences between areas.
I will apply my learnings about-- the occurence of monsoon rains in the Philippines to be aware of its effects to my life.
Learning about these phenomena is important, because-- I will be aware and alert to the effects of this phenomenon.
On a larger scale, I will share my learnings about these phenomena to others-- so that, not only me is the one who can prepare and be responsible for incoming bad weathers, but also others and as a result i will be a model to others.
I need to know more about-- the effects of this phenomenon that may affect my daily lives.
BE AWARE AND RESPONSIBLE =)
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