P1.26
Factors affecting the latitudinal location of the intertropical convergence zone in a GCM
Winston Chao, NASA/GSFC, Greenbelt, MD; and B. Chen
The dominant role of the latitudinal peak of the sea surface temperature (SST) in determining the latitudinal location of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) is well-known. However, the roles of the other factors are less well-known and are the topic of this study. These other factors include the inertial stability, the interaction between convection and surface fluxes and the interaction between convection and radiation. Since these interactions involve convection, in a model they involve the cumulus parameterization scheme. These factors are studied with a general circulation model with uniform SST and solar angle. Under such model settings the ITCZ can be a single one over the equator or a double one straddling the equator. How this outcome is determined by these factors will be described.
Poster Session 1, Poster Session: I
Monday, 10 February 2003, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM
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