Since 1954, studies concluded that the near-equatorial trough was associated with a maximum in oceanic sea surface temperature. It is sometimes used as a synonym for the terms near equatorial tradewind convergence, Intertropical convergence zone

Intertropical Convergence Zone

The Intertropical Convergence Zone , known by sailors as The Doldrums, is the area encircling the earth near the equator where winds originating in the northern and southern hemispheres come together....

, and monsoon trough

Monsoon trough

The monsoon trough is that portion of the Intertropical Convergence Zone which extends into or through a monsoon circulation, as depicted by a line on a weather map showing the locations of minimum sea level pressure, and as such, is a convergence zone between the wind patterns of the southern and...

. Surges of higher pressure from high latitudes can enhance tropical disturbances along its axis. A pair of these troughs can occur during the Spring transition season.