tropical upper tropospheric trough

A tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT) is a trough of low pressure that forms in the upper troposphere over tropical regions. These troughs are associated with areas of deep convection, where warm, moist air rises and transports heat and water vapor to higher altitudes.1

The formation of TUTTs is linked to the Hadley cell circulation, a global pattern of atmospheric movement. In this cell, air rises in the tropics, moves towards the poles in the upper troposphere, and then descends in subtropical regions, creating areas of high pressure. This descending air, warmed by compression, contributes to the stability of the atmosphere in these zones.12

TUTTs are important because they can influence weather patterns, including the development of tropical cyclones. They are also a component of the general atmospheric circulation, playing a role in the distribution of heat and moisture around the globe.3