Convergence zone

A convergence zone in meteorology is a region in the atmosphere where two prevailing flows meet and interact, usually resulting in distinctive weather conditions.^[1] This causes a mass accumulation that eventually leads to a vertical movement and to the formation of clouds and precipitation.^[1] Large-scale convergence, called synoptic-scale convergence, is associated with weather systems such as baroclinic troughs, low-pressure areas, and cyclones. The large-scale convergence zone formed over the equator, the Intertropical Convergence Zone, has condensed and intensified as a result of the global increase in temperature.^[2] Small-scale convergence will give phenomena from isolated cumulus clouds to large areas of thunderstorms.

The inverse of convergence is divergence, such as the horse latitudes.