Dynamics of the East Pacific Intertropical Convergence Zone

New Mexico Institute Of Mining And Technology, Socorro NM

Investigators

Abstract

Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is an east-west line of convection, which circles the globe in the equatorial regions. Building on data gathered and research initiated during the EPIC2001 (East Pacific Investigation of Climate - 2001) field experiment, several initiatives will be undertaken in this study. It addresses the question whether convection in the East Pacific is controlled by surface fluxes or Ekman convergence; satellite data will be compared to in-situ data from the field experiment with a view to creating a climatological description of the characteristics of the ITCZ. Cumulus cloud ensemble modeling and idealized models will be used to determine the characteristics and variability of the distribution of convection in the East Pacific and if adjustments are required to the parameterization of convection. As a community service as well as for providing observational data for the study, data gathered during EPIC2001 will be processed and archived.