Cross the Pacific ITCZ
From CruisersWiki
| Crossing the Pacific ITCZ
| |
 Position of the ITCZ | |
| July January |
Description
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), also known as the Intertropical Front, Monsoon trough, Doldrums or the Equatorial Convergence Zone, is a belt of low pressure girdling Earth at the equator. It is formed by the vertical ascent of warm, moist air from the latitudes above and below the equator.
The air is drawn into the intertropical convergence zone by the action of the Hadley cell, a macroscale atmospheric feature which is part of the Earth's heat and moisture distribution system. It is transported aloft by the convective activity of thunderstorms; regions in the intertropical convergence zone receive precipitation over 200 days in a year.
The location of the intertropical convergence zone varies over time. Over the oceans, where the convergence zone is better defined, the seasonal cycle is more subtle, as the convection is constrained by the distribution of ocean temperatures.
Sometimes, a double ITCZ forms, with one located north and another south of the equator. When this occurs, a narrow ridge of high pressure forms between the two convergence zones, one of which is usually stronger than the other.
Variation in the location of the intertropical convergence zone drastically affects rainfall in many equatorial nations, resulting in the wet and dry seasons of the tropics rather than the cold and warm seasons of higher latitudes. Longer term changes in the intertropical convergence zone can result in severe droughts or flooding in nearby areas.
In some cases, the ITCZ may become narrow, especially when it moves away from the equator; the ITCZ can then be interpreted as a front along the leading edge of the equatorial air.
Within the ITCZ the average winds are slight, unlike the zones north and south of the equator where the trade winds feed. Early sailors named this belt of calm the doldrums because of the inactivity and stagnation they found themselves in after days of no wind. To find oneself becalmed in this region in a hot and muggy climate could mean death in an era when wind was the only effective way to propel ships across the ocean.
Charts
Give charts applicable to this port or refer to a Chart section of another page (Country or Region) that lists the charts.
- Source
- Chart Number - Chart Name
- Chart Number - Chart Name
- Source
- Chart Number - Chart Name
Weather
Give expected climatic & weather conditions for this passage or refer to another page (a region or island group) that covers these conditions.
Sources for Weather forecasts:
Weather Windows
Give the best time/s of year for this passage and expected weather conditions.
Add any navigation notes such approaches, dangers etc here. If this section does not apply remove it.
Communication
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Possible Departure Points
List the possible departure ports. Include their coordinates. It is assumed that corresponding Wiki pages of these ports either exist or will be created.
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Departure Point1 [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Departure Point1|Departure Point1]] DD°N.m′N/S, DD°M.m′E/W
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Departure Point2 [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Departure Point2|Departure Point2]] (Alternate name Departure Point2) °'N, °'E
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Departure Point2 [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Departure Point2|Departure Point2]] (Alternate name Departure Point2) °'N, °'E
- etc.
Route/Suggested Stopovers
List the route and the suggested stopover points (in sequence), including their coordinates, and some description.
- Starting from Departure Point1 [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Departure Point1|Departure Point1]] DD°N.m′N/S, DD°M.m′E/W
- xx nM SE to Anchorage Point1 [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Anchorage Point1|Anchorage Point1]] (Alt name of Anchorage Point1) DD°N.m′N/S, DD°M.m′E/W in the SW side of the island of [[yy]],
- or 21 nM S to the remote island of
Island Point1 [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Island Point1|Island Point1]] DD°N.m′N/S, DD°M.m′E/W , form here you can go
- xx nM SE to
- xx nM to Stopover Point1 [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Stopover Point1|Stopover Point1]] DD°N.m′N/S, DD°M.m′E/W
- etc.
- Finally you arrive at Arrival Port1 [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Arrival Port1|Arrival Port1]] DD°N.m′N/S, DD°M.m′E/W
Possible Arrival Points
List the possible arrival ports (in sequence). Include their coordinates.
- Arrival Port1 [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Arrival Port1|Arrival Port1]] DD°N.m′N/S, DD°M.m′E/W
- Arrival Ports [[Cross the Pacific ITCZ#Arrival Ports|Arrival Ports]] DD°N.m′N/S, DD°M.m′E/W
- etc.
Distance & Duration
Give a distance table if possible.
| [[Departure Point1]] | [[Stopover Point1]] | [[Stopover Point2]] | [[Stopover Point3]] | [[Arrival Point 1]] | [[Arrival Point2]] | |
| [[Departure Point1]] | x1 d+h | x2 d+h | x3 d+h | x4 d+h | x5 d+h | |
| [[Stopover Point1]] | x1 d+h | x6 d+h | x7 d+h | x8 d+h | x9 d+h | |
| [[Stopover Point2]] | x2 d+h | x6 d+h | x10 d+h | x11 d+h | x12 d+h | |
| [[Stopover Point3]] | x3 d+h | x7 d+h | x10 d+h | x13 d+h | x14 d+h | |
| [[Arrival Point 1]] | x4 d+h | x8 d+h | x11 d+h | x13 d+h | x15 d+h | |
| [[Arrival Point2]] | x5 d+h | x9 d+h | x12 d+h | x14 d+h | x15 d+h |
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
List links external to the wiki such as in Wikipedia.
References
- Crossing the Pacific ITCZ - A free .pdf download
Comments
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Names: Lighthouse |
