2016 Great Salt Lake Cyclone Season

The 2016 Great Salt Lake Cyclone Season was the first year recorded of cyclones forming in the Great Salt Lake. Five depressions formed, and four cyclonic storms formed, with one storm becoming as strong as a category 4 hurricane and nearly making it to Salt Lake City.

Because the Great Salt Lake is a body of saltwater, similar to the oceans, it is possible for cyclones to form, although it is very unlikely. The water is much cooler, so all cyclones that develop will usually be extratropical. Wind shear is also significantly greater in this body of water than the oceans - however, boat wind shear is much rarer than other basins, like Lake Okeechobee, due to the significant lack of fishermen.

Storms
A total of five depressions four storms formed during this season. They were not given names, because it was not known until this season that cyclones could form in the Great Salt Lake.

Cyclonic Depression One
On February 6, a small area of cloudiness developed over the central Great Salt Lake. The area of cloudiness developed a closed circulation the next day and is thought to have become a cyclonic depression around this time. On February 9, increasing wind shear caused the depression to become very disorganized, dissipating the next day. This depression was not identified until post-analysis, which is why there is no accurate pressure measurement.