The ITCZ is the belt of low pressure near the equator where the trade winds meet. It is not fixed; it moves North during the Northern Hemisphere summer and South during the Southern Hemisphere summer. This “migration” of the ITCZ is what causes the seasonal monsoon rains that billions of people depend on for agriculture. ANSWER: (C) Shifting its position with the seasons
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The ITCZ follows the “thermal equator,” which is the point where the sun’s rays are most direct. Because the Earth is tilted, this point moves throughout the year. In July, the ITCZ moves toward India and North Africa, bringing the “Wet Monsoon.” In January, it moves south toward Australia and Brazil. For students, this explains why some parts of the world have “Wet” and “Dry” seasons instead of “Winter” and “Summer.” The ITCZ is a “weather engine” that drags heavy rain clouds across the tropics as it follows the sun’s heat.
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