Section 1.1The meaning of Greek-derived word "Tropics" is turning. The word "tropics" is derived from the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, the parallels of latitude at 23.5 degrees north and south, respectively. Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are the outer limits of the areas where the sun can be at zenith. The tropics is loosely defined as the area between 30° north and south of the equator (Riehl, 1954, 1979). The tropics are sometimes referred to as the low-latitude areas. Many geographic and climatic terms related to tropics, such as sub-tropics, extra-tropics, inter- tropical, equatorial and near equatorial zones, are frequently used, but lack of exact definitions. From the meteorological point-of-view, no part of the atmosphere exists alone or can be understood without considering the entire atmosphere and its environment as a whole.
The tropical zone covers nearly half of the earth's surface. About forty percent of the earth's land surface and nearly 40% of the world population are located in the tropics (Nieuwolt, 1977).
This chapter summarizes the climatology of the tropics. Knowledge of climatology may benefit the forecaster by providing information on what mean weather systems to expect in day-to-day forecasting situations (Landsberg, 1941). Using this information along with quality data (e.g. satellite imagery, surface charts, and forecast aids), a meteorologist will be able to develop forecasting skill. The major purpose of this chapter is to reduce the time required to become proficient in tropical weather forecasting.
Chapter 2