Aton · Sun, Earth and climate

Scenario A

Latitude50.9° N

Longitude4.4° E

Scenario B

Latitude50.9° N

Longitude4.4° E

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Air · Cross-sections

Equator: the ITCZ

Equatorial Atlantic · from south (A, left) to north (B, right)

section line A–B

surface winds (trade winds)section line A–B

1The Sun strongly heats the ocean: surface water reaches 27 to 29 °C.
2Water evaporates: the air fills with (invisible) water vapour.
3The trade winds of both hemispheres meet: they converge on the ITCZ.
4The warm, moist air is lighter and rises. As it rises it cools (about −6 °C per km).
5The vapour condenses: thunderclouds (cumulonimbus) up to 16 km, violent downpours. Condensation releases heat, which makes the air rise even more.
6High up, the cold, dry air heads back towards the poles: this is the top of the Hadley cells.

The numbers match the badges on the cross-section.