Intertropical Convergence Zone

Identify the Time of Year

This case lets you practice identifying the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) in satellite imagery.

Question

Is this IR 10.8 image from January or July?

The correct answer is B.

The ITCZ is at its northernmost location in July. The convection and cloudiness over western Africa extend almost to the Tropic of Cancer, which tells us that the image is from the Northern Hemispheric summer and Southern Hemispheric winter. Another clue is that southern Africa practically has no convection, which is typical of the local winter months in this region.

Please make a selection.