Triple point-always a severe weather maker?

[Chris Lott]

I have seen a few severe weather events that have evolved from a triple point set up and I have heard others talk about it quite a bit, but is it always a focus of severe weather or even tornadic activity?

 

[rdale]

Don't say "always" or "never" when it comes to weather...

 

[Chris Nuttall]

The triple point is not always the focus or the best place. However, it is a good place to start. Due to the intersection of the dryline, cold front, and warm front in close proximity to a surface low, low-level convergence can and is often maximized at the location. The proximity to the low also provides a max in wind shear also.

While other dynamics may prevent the triple point from developing the "best" storms, it is always a good place to start when looking for a target.

 

[Dan Robinson]

A good example of the triple point not being the best play was June 12, 2004 in southern Kansas. The triple point was near Hays, but moisture there was meager and in a narrow corridor. Meanwhile a dryline bulge was pushing into a much better and broader plume of moisture in the Wichita area. The Wichita target area was still close enough to the low to benefit from some of its shear. This is just one example in recent memory.

Jon Davies did a great case study of this day:

http://members.cox.net/jondavies2/061204sc.../061204scks.htm