The Doldrums

[Mike1956]

Just been looking at a globe indicating general global circulation of air. Interested to learn why the Doldrums extends 420M N but only 120M S from the Equator. Thanks

Mike

[boatman61]

There are seasonal variations.. as the summers move from N to S and back..

[Mike1956]

I did wonder about that but no indication on the sketch of the globe as to time of year.

Thanks

Mike

[StuM]

A combination of factors. The majority of continental masses being N of the equator plus different thermoclines and different sea surface temperature profiles N and S of the equator.

Note that the Doldrums do not occupy the whole of that area all they time - they occur in a meandering band which moved N/S throughout the year.