TYNI wrote:Just throwing out an educated guess from what I have read here, but the closer a system is to the equator, the less chance of the 'coriolis' effect has to induce the necessary cyclonic spin. Since the ITCZ is relatively close to the equator, this may explain it. Although, in my lack of understanding of such items, I am not sure the 'coriolis' effect is required only during the formation of a tropical storm, or required to continually assist in sustaining the cyclonic spin.
Just another amateur fumbling in the dark for the light switch too....
I don't think that's the reason since:
1. The ITCZ fluctuates throughout the season (and year) and can be well above the latitude where storms
can form.
2. I don't think the Coriolis has anything to do with it since once a tropical cyclone is created, the Coriolis effect isn't a factor (that's the answer to your question).
3. When storms weaken or be absorbed into the ITCZ, the cyclone getting too close to the equator has never been an issue (that I know of).