Vertical structure, genesis and annual cycle of double ITCZ over tropical oceans derived from a decade of CloudSat and CALIPSO observations

The latitude-altitude structure of the double intertropical convergence zone (DITCZ), its zonal variations, annual cycle and interannual variability over tropical oceans, which were least explored so far, are investigated using the long-term (2006–2018) joint analysis of spaceborne cloud radar and lidar observations that can profile all types of clouds. In contrast to satellite imager observations, this analysis can unambiguously discriminate the DITCZ core and the cirrus outflow emanating from them, which enables the characterization of DITCZ features, including their vertical structure, width and strength even when the equatorial region separating the DITCZ bands has overcast clouds or one of the bands is weak. The role of observed surface wind divergence (SWD) and sea surface temperature (SST) in the genesis and annual migration of the DITCZ bands as well as the ability of vertical wind obtained from reanalysis in capturing the observed DITCZ features are evaluated. The DITCZ occurs over the central Pacific throughout the year, while its occurrence is mainly limited to March-April over the eastern Pacific and the Atlantic and in December over the Indian Ocean. Annual variations of the occurrence, vertical extent, strength and latitudinal positions of the DITCZ bands are mainly driven by the combined effect of SWD and SST variations. The significant differential cloud radiative heating between the equator and the DITCZ bands, derived from the profiles of cloud water content, suggests that it would feedback in enhancing the middle and upper tropospheric wind convergence and downdraft over the equator and contribute to sustain the DITCZ.