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Title: Observed Zonal Variations of the Relationship between ITCZ Position and Meridional Temperature Contrast
While the zonal-mean position of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is well explained using the zonal-mean energetic framework, the regional variations of the ITCZ have been more difficult to characterize. We show a simple metric, the interhemispheric tropical sea surface temperature (SST) contrast, is useful for estimating the local ITCZ position over seasonal and interannual timescales in modern observations. We demonstrate a linear correspondence between the SST contrast and ITCZ position across oceanic sectors. Though consistently linear, the sensitivity of the ITCZ position to the SST contrast varies from ~1°/K to ~7°/K depending on location. We also find that the location of the Western Pacific interannual ITCZ is negatively correlated with the temperature of the North Atlantic Ocean. This result may help put constraints on past and future regional migrations of the ITCZ.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1944545
PAR ID:
10335458
Author(s) / Creator(s):
;
Date Published:
Journal Name:
Climate
Volume:
10
Issue:
3
ISSN:
2225-1154
Page Range / eLocation ID:
30
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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