A study of the relation between surface convergence and convective initiation along the dryline

Abstract

The frequency of shower and thunderstorm development is known to be greater near the dryline than in areas further removed. The dryline is a common feature across New Mexico and West Texas during the springtime and is often associated with severe weather across the region. The exact forcing mechanism that initiates convection along the dryline is not known. Recent studies suggest that localized areas of surface convergence and moisture convergence along the dryline may be the primary initiating mechanism.

This thesis is an observational study that compared where convection occurred along the dryline to where areas of localized convergence and moisture convergence existed. Three similar dryline cases were examined. It was found that convection initiated in close proximity to areas of maximum convergence in two out of the three cases.