2017-18 Michigan Winter Cyclone Season

The 2017-18 Michigan Winter Cyclone Season is a current tropical cyclone event. It began on November 1, 2017 and will end on April 1, 2018. The storms in this basin tend to be weaker than typical tropical cyclones in a season, mainly due to overall higher wind shear. The first Winter Cyclone, Alex, formed on November 6.

Winter Weather Outlook
Areas of Potential Development: A well-defined low pressure area is currently positioned over Lake Superior. Conditions are very favorable for development, and a Winter Low is likely to form tomorrow or Thursday while it moves generally south.

Development Chances in 48 hours - 40 percent

Development Chances in 5 days - 70 percent

Model Runs: 

Timeline
The current Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) Value for the 2017-18 Michigan Winter Cyclone Season is 3.3175 units.

Winter Cyclone Alex
A broad low pressure area in lake Superior began to show signs of development on November 3. Hampered by strong wind shear, development did not occur until November 6, when Winter Low 01M formed. Despite the center became exposed from the convection, dvorak estimates confirmed it intensified into Winter Cyclone Alex on November 7. The storm immediately reached peak winds of 40 mph before making landfall on the UP. After landfall, Alex degenerated quickly, dissipating on November 8.

Severe Winter Cyclone Benita
Main Article: Cyclone Benita Winter Cyclone Benita formed on November 19, from a low that originated over the Great Plains. In an area of favorable conditions, Benita gradually intensified as it took a southward track. A front approached and pushed Benita east, as the storm intensified into a Severe Winter Cyclone on November 20. The storm cleared out an eye as it peaked with winds of 85 mph, before making landfall in Michigan. The storm quickly deteriorated after landfall, becoming a remnant low early on November 22.

Storm Names
These names will be used to name cyclones in this season.