The Doldrums

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), known by sailors as The Doldrums, is the area encircling the earth near the equator where winds originating in the northern and southern hemispheres come together.

The Itcz is beginning its climatilogical climb further north, despite it's day to day flucuations n and s.

Presently, the ITCZ appears to be quite active, but it's running quite low in the western side of the cAtl near the equator. Climatologically, I believe it's running lower than average, especially on the wAtl side. This may allow for a longer period of SAL intrusion into the Atlantic as well, but that remains to be seen. As it moves further north, activity will eventually pick up and create opportunities for tropical waves to organize and produce spinning storms, but that is more likely to occur a little further into the season. A more northerly Itcz makes it easier for developing storms to coriolis. And, more Itcz moisture further north also weakens SAL and dry/stable air, making development conditions more favorable.