Through the ITCZ?

Date: 03/25\6
Noon to noon run: 136 NM
Time of position: 00:33
Lat/Lon: 05 deg 55.90'N; 123 deg 08.99'W
Course: 190 deg Mag
Next Waypoint: 0 deg N; 126 deg W

If the NOAA surface analysis is correct, we penetrated the "Zone" otherwise known as the ITCZ, or doldrums, last night at about 8 degrees north latitude, and exited this morning at about 6 degrees. In reality if it was the ITCZ we went through, it was probably only 1 degree wide (or about 60 miles) at the most, not 2 degrees as suggested by the surface analysis weather fax. But, hoping it was the ITCZ we don't care. Our plan right now is to get just plain south, before things change again. - And, it looks like we're doing that. At least so far. Here's how it went:

Analyzing a satellite photo a couple of days ago while on our way to our waypoint at 6N, 126W, it seemed that a small hole had opened in the ITCZ that we might squeeze through and perhaps we did. We changed course and headed more south than west anticipating it, but we weren't sure. Yesterday progressed with anticipation, and cloud signs growing. Then, on John's watch last night he saw plenty of lightening, seemingly all around us, in the various cloud formations. Then, on my 3-6AM watch, in a light breeze, we passed though multiple squalls with rain but no wind change in wind velocity or direction.

After I hit the rack this morning we passed into clear skies and the breeze picked up to 15Kts. As the afternoon progressed the skies grew to an ominous dark gray and the wind continued to build to over 25Kts. We put in a second reef just before cooking dinner. On my watch (9-Midnight) just finished  the winds have moderated to 10-15kts.

Todays GRIB file showed no evidence of winds higher that 10Kts in our area, although it showed barometric pressure at 1009 millibars for our area. I'd seen that number and the designation of a "Low Pressure" on yesterdays GRIB file forecast for today and reviewed it. A low was forecast for today at about 4 degrees North, and while it wasn't designated on today's GRIB file, it could be that the low was real, but 2 degrees further North.

In the end, here we are closing in on 5N, and making all the speed we can. - Sure hope I'm right and that the Zone is behind us rather than still waiting for us out there - Somewhere!