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Where is the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) typically positioned during the southern hemisphere summer season over southern Africa?

  • A

    In the southern hemisphere

  • B

    In the northern hemisphere

  • C

    Precisely over the geographic equator

  • D

    Along the coastline of the Western Cape

Refer to figure.
The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is a belt of low pressure and convergent air near the equator where the trade winds of the northern and southern hemispheres meet. 

During the northern hemisphere summer (June-August), the ITCZ migrates north of the equator following the sub-solar point. 

During the southern hemisphere summer (December-February), the ITCZ migrates south of the equator into the southern hemisphere. Over southern Africa during its summer months, the ITCZ is located in the southern hemisphere, bringing the convective rains and thunderstorms characteristic of the southern African wet season. This seasonal migration of the ITCZ is the primary driver of the wet and dry season cycle throughout tropical Africa. The ITCZ is never fixed precisely over the geographic equator.


In the southern hemisphere → CORRECT. During southern African summer (October to March), the ITCZ migrates southward following the thermal equator into the southern hemisphere. This positions it over southern Africa and brings the characteristic convective rainfall of the wet season.

In the northern hemisphere → INCORRECT. The ITCZ is in the northern hemisphere during the northern hemisphere summer (June to August), when the thermal equator is displaced northward. During southern African summer the ITCZ is in the southern hemisphere, not the northern.

Precisely over the geographic equator → INCORRECT. The ITCZ oscillates seasonally and is rarely positioned precisely over the geographic equator for extended periods. Its position follows the thermal equator, which shifts north and south with the seasons. Stating that it is always over the equator is incorrect.

Along the coastline of the Western Cape → INCORRECT. The Western Cape of South Africa experiences a Mediterranean climate driven by the movement of the subtropical high-pressure belt and associated frontal systems, not by the ITCZ. The ITCZ affects tropical and subtropical Africa well to the north of the Western Cape.

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