What are doldrums in weather?
The “doldrums” is a popular nautical term that refers to the belt around the Earth near the equator where sailing ships sometimes get stuck on windless waters. As the air rises, it cools, causing persistent bands of showers and storms around the Earth’s midsection.
Are doldrums warm or cold?
The Sun shines very directly at the equator, creating very intense heat. The heat warms the air and causes some ocean water to evaporate, meaning air in the doldrums becomes warm and moist. This warm, moist air rises in the atmosphere and cools, becoming clouds — and eventually rain and storms — in tropical regions.
Are doldrums severe weather?
They’re the most treacherous seas on the planet. On land, the zone, which is usually centred between and N, is associated with the heaviest rainfall and some of the most severe droughts on Earth. …
What do you mean by doldrums in disaster?
DOLDRUMS ARE TECHNICALLY known as the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), the intertropical front, the monsoon trough, or the equatorial convergence zone, the doldrums are a belt of low pressure surrounding the earth at the equator. Over land, it moves back and forth across the equator following the Sun’s zenith.
What is a doldrums kid definition?
Kids Definition of doldrums 1 : a spell of sadness I tried to cheer her of her doldrums. 2 : a period of no activity or improvement Her business was in the doldrums. 3 : a part of the ocean near the equator known for its calms.
What are the doldrums responsible for?
The Doldrums are caused by solar radiation from the sun, as sunlight beams down directly on area around the equator. This heating causes the air to warm and rise straight up rather than blow horizontally. The result is little or no wind, sometimes for weeks on end.
Where are doldrums located?
The Doldrums are located a little north of the equator, but the effects can be felt from 5 degrees north of the equator to 5 degrees south of it. The trade winds border the Doldrums both to the north and south. Then there are the prevailing westerlies in the higher latitudes and the polar easterlies near both poles.
What is an example of a doldrums?
Doldrums is defined as a gloomy feeling, low spirits or a time of inactivity. An example of doldrums is being stuck in the house during a week long snow storm.
Why are doldrums formed?
The Doldrums are caused by solar radiation from the sun, as sunlight beams down directly on area around the equator. This heating causes the air to warm and rise straight up rather than blow horizontally. The trade winds border the Doldrums both to the north and south.
What happens when there is no wind?
Absent a gentle breeze or mighty gale to circulate both warm and cold weather around the Earth, the planet would become a land of extremes. Areas around the Equator would become intensely hot and the poles would freeze solid. Whole ecosystems would change, and some would completely disappear.
What is an example of a doldrum?
What does doldrums stand for in meteorology?
Doldrums, also called equatorial calms, equatorial regions of light ocean currents and winds within the intertropical convergence zone(ITCZ), a belt of converging windsand rising air encircling Earthnear the Equator.
What are the characteristics of the doldrums region?
Doldrums is a natural phenomenon that happens near the equator. In addition, it is an oceanic belt that circles around the globe. The region has low atmospheric pressure and lack of a significant amount of wind. Also, the weather in the region is cloudy and rainy.
Where are doldrums located in relation to the ITCZ?
Doldrums, also called equatorial calms, equatorial regions of light ocean currents and winds within the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ), a belt of converging winds and rising air encircling Earth near the Equator.
Where does the warm air go at the doldrums?
At the doldrums, the warm air rises and flows away from the equator to about 30 degrees south and north latitude where it descends respectively. From this wind, some of the warm air moves towards the westward direction in the form of trade winds. On the contrary, the remaining portion blows towards the east, creating the dominant westerlies.