Intertropical Convergence Zone  The intertropical convergence zone is the name given to the dividing belt close to the equator where the northeast trade winds from the northern hemisphere and the southeast trade winds from the southern hemisphere converge with the southwest monsoons across the equator during the northern hemisphere summer. It is often referred to as the equatorial convergence zone, the equatorial front, tropical front, or monsoon trough. Even though the position of the intertropical convergence zone changes slightly with the seasons, it is located close to the equator where the sun's rays are strongest and hottest. The ascending warm air and the colliding winds destabilize the atmosphere and create cumulonimbus clouds, thereby forming a belt of cloud and resulting in increased precipitation.