Skip Navigation Links www.nws.noaa.gov 
NOAA logo - Click to go to the NOAA home page National Weather Service   NWS logo - Click to go to the NWS home page
Climate Prediction Center

About Us
   Our Mission
   Who We Are
Contact Us
   CPC Information
   CPC Web Team
   CPC FEWS-NET
 
HOME > FEWS-NET > Africa > Africa ITCZ Monitoring

Africa Intertropical Front

Latest PDF File

For a spreadsheet of all dekadal ITF analyses thru 2005, click HERE

West Region East Region
West
ITCZ East
ITCZ

Mean vs Current Mean ITCZ

Latest Text Summary



During the period from April 21-30, 2009, the African portion of the Intertropical Front (ITF) was located at around 11.7 degrees north latitude, compared with the normal position of 12.2 degrees north. The position is significantly south of the same dekad of 2008 when the ITF was around 13.4N. Figure 1 shows the current position compared to normal, and it is apparent from this diagram that the ITF remains south of the normal position across much of West Africa, and near normal across Nigeria, Chad and Sudan. Using latitude to compare the current position with the 1979-2007 average, the historical average is around 13.3N in the east, and the current position is around 12.4N the ITF. Figures 2 and 3 also show the southward bias of the ITF, which has moved south from its position last week. 2009 10-Day Mean ITCZ Position

Dekad 15W 10W 5W 0 5E 10E 15E 20E 25E 30E 35E
April 1 9.6 11.0 11.0 11.5 11.0 10.4 10.5 10.3 10.0 9.8 9.8
April 2 10.2 11.8 12.5 12.8 12.7 12.9 13.2 12.7 11.7 10.9 10.9
April 3 9.8 11.4 12.0 13.3 12.7 12.6 12.4 11.6 11.0 11.0 11.4


NOAA/ National Weather Service
National Centers for Environmental Prediction
Climate Prediction Center
5200 Auth Road
Camp Springs, Maryland 20746
Page Author: Climate Prediction Center Internet Team
Page last modified: February 22, 2006
Disclaimer
Information Quality
Credits
Glossary
Privacy Policy
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
About Us
Career Opportunities