Mapeamento das condições meteorológicas adversas nas rotas Brasil-Europa da ZCIT com base nas cartas SIGWX de 2012 a 2021

Abstract

The Intertropical Confluence Zone (ITCZ), due to being located in a hot and humid planet’s region, close to Equator circle, tends to form storm clouds, the Cumulonimbus (CB). Considering this natural tendency, this study aims to verify and analyze a part of ITCZ crossed by aircraft at Brazil-Europe route, in order to map this region and prove CB daily occurrence. In order to achieve this objective, the methodology of a basic nature and bibliographic and documentary procedures is adopted. The documents analyzed were North American SIGWX charts available at REDEMET considered for 18 UTC and between the years 2012 – 2022. Only four quadrants of ITCZ were selected, whose latitudes range from 10ºN to 10ºS and 20ºW to 40ºW. From the method adopted, it was possible to verify a high frequency of isolated CB clouds embedded for quadrants 1 and 2 between 18 UTC and 23:45 UTC, formed on 3.222 days of the 10 years studied. The years with highest occurrence were also identified, 2013 and 2020, as well as the most favorable months for the formation of these clouds, December and January. The highest peak found, FL580, was also observed. Given these points, it evidences that aircraft route between Brazil and Europe, in both directions, constantly passes through these quadrants affected by CB clouds and probably such formations develop into storms. With this in mind, it is necessary for pilots to deal with this region very carefully. Among the strategies for flying under these conditions are the essential use of on-board weather radar, effective weather planning, use of all available weather information for the route and the need to avoid the cloud. On the other hand, it is observed that the horizontal extension of quadrants 1 and 2 makes it difficult to deviate the ITCZ clouds. This means that it is necessary to look for alternative routes for the mentioned route, even if it is a challenge. Finally, another aspect suggested is the elaboration of studies that evaluate the possibility of changing the crossing time adopted for Brazil-Europe direction, which normally occurs at night, coinciding with the identified times of heavy training.