List of Canadian tornadoes in 2023
 | Parts of this article (those related to Tornado count) need to be updated. The reason given is: List page number does not match main page number. (December 2023) |
This page documents all tornadoes confirmed by Environment Canada and the University of Western Ontario's Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) in Canada throughout 2023. Based on statistical modelling by Sills et al. (2012), an average of 230 tornadoes likely occur across the country each year; however, only 61 of these are actually documented annually based on 1980–2009 averages.[1] This makes Canada the second-most active country in the world for tornadoes.[2] The majority of confirmed events occur in the more densely populated areas of southern Canada, where people are around to report them.[3] In Alberta specifically, meteorologists estimated that 30–50 percent of tornadoes that actually occur go unreported, with NTP executive director David Sills stating, "we just don't get reports from the moose."[4] In an attempt to better document the nation's tornadoes, the NTP was founded in 2017 as a joint venture by the University of Western Ontario and ImpactWX. Their initial scope was to catalogue previously unrecognized tornadoes in densely forested areas across Ontario and Quebec; however, this later expanded to tornadoes nationwide in 2019.[1]
The year started slowly, possibly due to thunderstorm activity being suppressed by smoke from record-breaking wildfires.[2] The first tornado of 2023 occurred on May 11 in Alberta while the strongest was an EF4 tornado on July 1, also in Alberta. The most active day of the year was an outbreak of 10 EF0 tornadoes on June 14 in rural areas of Alberta.[5]
Annual summary
[edit]| Month | Total | Enhanced Fujita scale rating | Deaths | Injuries | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF0 | EF1 | EF2 | EF3 | EF4 | EF5 | ||||
| January | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| February | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| March | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| April | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| May | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| June | 25 | 22 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| July | 18 | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| August | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 47 | 35 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
List of confirmed tornadoes
[edit]| EF# | Location | County / District / Municipality | Province | Start Coord. | Date | Time (UTC) | Path length | Max width |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EF1 | S of Cayley | Foothills | Alberta | 50°25′N 113°51′W / 50.42°N 113.85°W | May 11 | 00:07 | — | — |
| A brief landspout tornado was videoed; no damage was observed.[6] This was the first landspout classified as a tornado by the NTP following a change in operations in June 2023.[7] | ||||||||
| EF1 | S of Regina | Sherwood No. 159 | Saskatchewan | 50°21′19″N 104°33′13″W / 50.3553°N 104.5535°W | May 27 | 01:52 | 0.6 km (0.37 mi) | 200 m (220 yd) |
| A brief tornado tore the roof from a large machine shed, causing one of its walls to collapse, and scattered debris up to 2.5 km (1.6 mi) downstream.[8] The tornado was described as being unusual for this time of year.[9] Equally unusual is that this was the only tornado reported in Saskatchewan in 2023. [10] | ||||||||
| EF0 | N of Botha | Stettler No. 6 | Alberta | 52°20′55″N 112°33′13″W / 52.3486°N 112.5536°W | May 31 | 22:35 | 2.33 km (1.45 mi) | 240 m (260 yd) |
| A tornado was videoed and high-resolution satellite imagery revealed a damage swath through crop fields.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | NW of Carberry | North Cypress – Langford | Manitoba | 49°53′04″N 99°22′17″W / 49.8844°N 99.3714°W | June 4 | 23:53 | 0.46 km (0.29 mi) | 70 m (77 yd) |
| A brief landspout tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | S of Lomond | Vulcan | Alberta | 50°18′N 112°38′W / 50.30°N 112.63°W | June 11 | 00:55 | — | — |
| A tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | S of Beachville | South-West Oxford | Ontario | 43°04′05″N 80°49′48″W / 43.068°N 80.83°W | June 13 | 23:39 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | NW of Talbotville | Southwold | Ontario | 42°48′22″N 81°15′24″W / 42.8062°N 81.2567°W | June 13 | 00:30 | 2.44 km (1.52 mi) | 40 m (44 yd) |
| A brief tornado tossed patio furniture at a restaurant and damaged trees.[6] A 2x4 was lodged into the wall of the building.[2] | ||||||||
| EF0 | N of Iron Springs | Lethbridge | Alberta | 49°56′56″N 112°41′38″W / 49.949°N 112.694°W | June 14 | 20:20 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | N of Turin | Lethbridge | Alberta | 50°00′47″N 112°32′17″W / 50.013°N 112.538°W | June 14 | 20:42 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | NW of Turin | Lethbridge | Alberta | 50°00′25″N 112°37′44″W / 50.007°N 112.629°W | June 14 | 20:46 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | NNW of Turin | Lethbridge | Alberta | 50°02′20″N 112°36′47″W / 50.039°N 112.613°W | June 14 | 20:58 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | SW of Enchant | Taber | Alberta | 50°07′08″N 112°26′35″W / 50.119°N 112.443°W | June 14 | 21:15 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | SE of Enchant | Taber | Alberta | 50°07′41″N 112°20′46″W / 50.128°N 112.346°W | June 14 | 21:23 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; an irrigation pivot was overturned.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | S of Brooks | Newell | Alberta | 50°26′13″N 111°56′20″W / 50.437°N 111.939°W | June 14 | 22:12 | — | — |
| A brief waterspout was videoed over Lake Newell; the NTP classified it as an EF0 tornado. No damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | SE of Brooks | Newell | Alberta | 50°31′12″N 111°51′14″W / 50.52°N 111.854°W | June 14 | 22:35 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | N of Vermilion | Vermilion River | Alberta | 53°24′N 110°51′W / 53.40°N 110.85°W | June 14 | 22:40 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | S of Cabin Lake | Special Area No. 3 | Alberta | 51°01′N 111°13′W / 51.01°N 111.22°W | June 14 | 00:07 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF1 | NNE of Carpenter (ND) to William Lake Provincial Park (MB) | Rolette (ND), Morton (MB) | North Dakota (USA), Manitoba | 48°59′54″N 99°57′37″W / 48.9983°N 99.9603°W | June 20 | 02:35 | ≥6.5 km (4.0 mi) | ≥210 m (230 yd) |
| Aerial surveys revealed a tornado touched down just south of the Canada–United States border and moved northeast into Canada. Damage was confined to trees.[11] Only the Canadian portion of the track was surveyed.[6][12] | ||||||||
| EF1 | NW of Killarney to SE of Ninette | Killarney-Turtle Mountain, Prairie Lakes | Manitoba | 49°13′59″N 99°44′53″W / 49.2331°N 99.748°W | June 20 | 02:55 | 17.5 km (10.9 mi) | 1,200 m (1,300 yd) |
| A large tornado was confirmed through aerial surveys; details pending.[6][12] | ||||||||
| EF1 | NE of MacGregor | North Norfolk | Manitoba | 49°59′26″N 98°41′55″W / 49.9906°N 98.6987°W | June 20 | 04:30 | 6.8 km (4.2 mi) | 800 m (870 yd) |
| This tornado occurred within a broader area of straight-line winds. Grain bins were tossed and trees were downed and/or damaged.[6][13] | ||||||||
| EF0 | RiverWest | Windsor | Ontario | 42°17′25″N 83°03′15″W / 42.2903°N 83.0542°W | June 25 | 22:45 | 2.02 km (1.26 mi) | 180 m (200 yd) |
| A brief, dusty tornado caused minor tree damage.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Forest Glade to Tecumseh | Windsor | Ontario | 42°18′21″N 82°54′33″W / 42.3057°N 82.9091°W | June 25 | 23:00 | 4.69 km (2.91 mi) | 120 m (130 yd) |
| A tornado moved through eastern areas of Windsor, causing minor roof damage to multiple homes and snapping tree branches.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | S of Clearview | Clearview | Ontario | 44°23′09″N 80°06′13″W / 44.3857°N 80.1035°W | June 26 | 19:20 | 2.82 km (1.75 mi) | 120 m (130 yd) |
| A short-lived tornado caused minor damage to homes, fences, trees, and crops.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | SSW of Tweed | Tweed | Ontario | 44°27′11″N 77°19′20″W / 44.4531°N 77.3223°W | June 26 | 20:35 | 6.13 km (3.81 mi) | 450 m (490 yd) |
| A weak tornado moved along the western side of Stoco Lake.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | NE of Tweed | Tweed | Ontario | 44°29′28″N 77°16′25″W / 44.4911°N 77.2735°W | June 26 | 20:45 | 3.28 km (2.04 mi) | 240 m (260 yd) |
| A weak tornado touched down near where the first Tweed tornado dissipated along the northern end of Stoco Lake.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | ENE of Neepawa | WestLake – Gladstone | Manitoba | 50°16′N 99°12′W / 50.26°N 99.20°W | June 26 | 23:05 | — | — |
| A brief tornado was videoed; no damage occurred.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | SW of Venlaw | Grandview | Manitoba | 51°16′06″N 100°32′54″W / 51.2682°N 100.5483°W | June 28 | 17:53 | 1.29 km (0.80 mi) | 10 m (11 yd) |
| A brief, narrow tornado caused minor crop damage.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | SSE of Brookdale | North Cypress – Langford | Manitoba | 50°00′18″N 99°32′11″W / 50.0051°N 99.5363°W | June 28 | 19:20 | 0.8 km (0.50 mi) | 10 m (11 yd) |
| A brief, narrow tornado caused minor crop damage.[6] | ||||||||
| EF4 | SW of Didsbury to ENE of Carstairs | Mountain View | Alberta | 51°36′41″N 114°11′56″W / 51.6114°N 114.1989°W | July 1 | 19:45–20:15 | 15.3 km (9.5 mi) | 620 m (680 yd) |
| This violent tornado initially touched down over rural areas southwest of Didsbury, oscillating in intensity as it moved east. The tornado produced EF4 damage along Highway 2A between Didsbury and Carstairs. There, a well-built home was completely destroyed;[14] the sole occupant was injured.[15] Near this home, a 22,000 lb (10,000 kg) combine harvester was thrown 160 ft (50 m) before being rolled a further 160 to 330 ft (50 to 100 m). Trees were stubbed and debarked on the property.[16] Power lines were downed and one gas leak occurred at a destroyed home.[15] Significant ground scouring was observed in the area.[17] The tornado turned east-southeast from this location, eventually crossing Highway 2 before dissipating.[14][16] Altogether, three homes were destroyed, four were rendered uninhabitable, and five were damaged.[16] Twenty-five cows, twenty chickens, and one horse were also killed.[15] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Southern Hamilton | Hamilton (City of) | Ontario | 43°11′51″N 79°50′32″W / 43.1975°N 79.8423°W | July 4 | 20:45 | 0.64 km (0.40 mi) | 20 m (22 yd) |
| A brief tornado touched down in the Templemead neighbourhood of southern Hamilton. One business had minor roof damage.[6] This was the first tornado to strike the city in 18 years.[18] | ||||||||
| EF1 | Hine Lake | Thunder Bay, Unorganized | Ontario | 49°18′10″N 89°56′24″W / 49.3028°N 89.9400°W | July 9 | 23:45 | 12 km (7.5 mi) | 400 m (440 yd) |
| A tornado was analyzed in a forested area through satellite imagery. The full path is uncertain pending cloud-free satellite images.[6] | ||||||||
| EF1 | Barrhaven (1st tornado) | Ottawa (City of) | Ontario | 45°15′55″N 75°45′35″W / 45.2654°N 75.7598°W | July 13 | 12:49 | 1.13 km (0.70 mi) | 150 m (160 yd) |
| Dozens of homes sustained minor to moderate roof damage, including a couple that had portions peeled away. Some trees were snapped or uprooted.[6] | ||||||||
| EF1 | Barrhaven (2nd tornado) | Ottawa (City of) | Ontario | 45°14′42″N 75°45′07″W / 45.2451°N 75.7519°W | July 13 | 16:45 | 4.92 km (3.06 mi) | 200 m (220 yd) |
| Dozens of homes sustained minor to moderate roof damage, including a couple that had portions peeled away. Some trees were snapped or uprooted.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Embrun | Russell | Ontario | 45°16′17″N 75°17′17″W / 45.2715°N 75.2880°W | July 13 | 17:17 | 1.14 km (0.71 mi) | 80 m (87 yd) |
| A brief, narrow tornado caused minor roof damage to homes and damaged trees.[19] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Fournier to Fenaghvale | The Nation | Ontario | 45°26′16″N 74°56′05″W / 45.4379°N 74.9346°W | July 13 | 17:55 | 9.62 km (5.98 mi) | 510 m (560 yd) |
| Damage was limited to trees and crops.[19] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Mirabel | Mirabel | Quebec | 45°39′N 74°01′W / 45.65°N 74.01°W | July 13 | 19:23 | — | — |
| An observer at Montréal–Mirabel International Airport reported a tornado.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Saint-Thomas | Saint-Thomas | Quebec | 45°59′43″N 73°21′47″W / 45.9952°N 73.3631°W | July 13 | 20:25 | 6.61 km (4.11 mi) | 200 m (220 yd) |
| Two barns and a home sustained minor roof damage and trees were snapped.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | W of Okotoks | Foothills County | Alberta | 50°39′25″N 114°05′46″W / 50.657°N 114.096°W | July 17 | 20:39 | — | — |
| A landspout tornado was observed.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | S of Whitla | Forty Mile No. 8 | Alberta | 49°42′N 111°01′W / 49.70°N 111.01°W | July 17 | 01:30 | — | — |
| A non-damaging tornado was documented.[20] | ||||||||
| EF1 | Brompton | Sherbrooke | Quebec | 45°27′58″N 71°59′20″W / 45.466°N 71.9888°W | July 18 | 20:30 | 3.93 km (2.44 mi) | 370 m (400 yd) |
| Barns, trees, and crops were damaged.[6] At least two barns partially collapsed, one of which was properly anchor bolted to its foundation.[21] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Near Bathurst | None (in water) | New Brunswick | 47°41′N 65°38′W / 47.69°N 65.63°W | July 20 | 20:09 | 10.5 km (6.5 mi) | 175 m (191 yd) |
| A tornado was observed over Chaleur Bay.[22] | ||||||||
| EF0 | E of Petrolia | Enniskillen | Ontario | 42°52′47″N 82°01′26″W / 42.8798°N 82.0240°W | July 20 | 20:25 | 2.91 km (1.81 mi) | 300 m (330 yd) |
| Trees, crops, and one power pole were damaged.[23] | ||||||||
| EF1 | South Buxton to SE of Sandison | Chatham-Kent | Ontario | 42°17′29″N 82°11′08″W / 42.2915°N 82.1855°W | July 20 | 20:50 | 10.5 km (6.5 mi) | 175 m (191 yd) |
| Multiple homes sustained varying degrees of roof damage. One had up to 20 percent of its roof torn off. Crops and trees were also damaged.[23] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Lake Nipissing | West Nipissing | Ontario | 46°13′30″N 79°51′25″W / 46.225°N 79.857°W | July 20 | 22:50 | 10.5 km (6.5 mi) | 175 m (191 yd) |
| A tornado was observed over Lake Nipissing.[22] | ||||||||
| EF1 | Blenheim | Chatham-Kent | Ontario | 42°18′26″N 82°03′54″W / 42.3073°N 82.0649°W | July 26 | 20:35 | 9.77 km (6.07 mi) | 300 m (330 yd) |
| Trees were snapped or uprooted, at least one home had moderate roof damage, and a garage was destroyed.[24] | ||||||||
| EF1 | W of Beaver Creek | Unorganized Division No. 19 | Manitoba | 51°21′35″N 97°07′29″W / 51.3597°N 97.1247°W | July 26 | 23:23 | 2 km (1.2 mi) | 170 m (190 yd) |
| A tornado caused tree and crop damage. Full survey details pending analysis of satellite imagery as of July 29.[25] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Findlay Creek (1st Tornado) | Ottawa | Ontario | 45°17′17″N 75°37′34″W / 45.288°N 75.6262°W | August 3 | 17:36 | 6.1 km (3.8 mi) | 130 m (140 yd) |
| A few homes and sheds sustained minor damage, a trailer was flipped, and trees were damaged.[6] | ||||||||
| EF0 | Findlay Creek (2nd Tornado, then later updated) | Ottawa | Ontario | 45°17′17″N 75°37′34″W / 45.288°N 75.6262°W | August 3 | 17:36 | 6.1 km (3.8 mi) | 130 m (140 yd) |
| A few homes and sheds sustained minor damage, a trailer was flipped, and trees were damaged.[6] | ||||||||
Notes
[edit]- ^ a b All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Sills et al. 2020, p. E2115.
- ^ a b c Both, Michelle (June 14, 2023). "'Just chaos': Tornado touches down in Talbotville and narrowly misses restaurant, house". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Sills et al. 2020, p. E2114.
- ^ Fieber, Pamela (June 19, 2019). "Researchers use hi-res satellite data to track tornadoes in unpopulated areas of Alberta". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Tornado Outbreak in Alberta". University of Western Ontario. Northern Tornadoes Project. June 15, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak "Northern Tornadoes Project Event Dashboard". University of Western Ontario. Northern Tornadoes Project. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Outstanding Prairie May and June Events". University of Western Ontario. Northern Tornadoes Project. June 16, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Fuller, Jordan (May 29, 2023). "Rowatt, SK - May 27, 2023 - Preliminary Event Summary Map". University of Western Ontario. Northern Tornadoes Project. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Frew, Nicholas (May 28, 2023). "Tornado touched down south of Regina Saturday night, Environment Canada confirms". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ "Saskatchewan records just one tornado in 2023".
- ^ "Two tornadoes in Manitoba". University of Western Ontario. Northern Tornadoes Project. June 24, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ a b Hoye, Bryce (June 27, 2023). 3 tornadoes touched down during 'very intense' western Manitoba storms last week, experts say (Report). CBC News. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
- ^ "Another June 20th tornado in Manitoba". University of Western Ontario. Northern Tornadoes Project. June 26, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ a b Preliminary Assessment of Tornado Near Didsbury on July 1, 2023 (Report). Environment Canada. July 4, 2023. Archived from the original on July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c Markus, Jade (July 2, 2023). "Alberta tornado witness says twister hit homes leaving damage, gas 'spewing' and power lines down". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation News. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Didsbury AB Tornado an EF4". Northern Tornadoes Project. July 4, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Northern Tornadoes Project [@westernuNTP] (July 2, 2023). "Two NTP survey teams will be investigating the damage caused by a powerful tornado in the Didsbury, AB area yesterday. An NTP team captured this image of the ground scour track going off into the distance last evening. They are coordinating with @ECCCWeatherAB who are also on the scene. #ABstorm" (Tweet). Retrieved July 2, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ Beaudry, Anika (July 6, 2023). "Tornado confirmed in Hamilton – first in 18 years". The Weather Network. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
- ^ a b "More Events from July 13 in Ontario". Northern Tornadoes Project. July 19, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Two EF0-Default tornadoes in Alberta". Northern Tornadoes Project. July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "A tornado and microburst in QC from July 18". Northern Tornadoes Project. July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ a b "Tornadoes over water in ON and NB". Northern Tornadoes Project. July 24, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ a b "Tornadoes and downbursts in SW ON on July 20". Northern Tornadoes Project. July 24, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Tornado and downburst in SW ON on July 26". Northern Tornadoes Project. July 28, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Tornado and downburst in Manitoba on July 26". Northern Tornadoes Project. July 29, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
Sources
[edit]- Sills, David M. L.; Kopp, Gregory A.; Elliott, Lesley; Jaffe, Aaron L.; Sutherland, Liz; Miller, Connell S.; Kunkel, Joanne M.; Hong, Emilio; Stevenson, Sarah A.; Wang, William (December 2020). "The Northern Tornadoes Project: Uncovering Canada's True Tornado Climatology". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society. 101 (12): E2113–E2132. doi:10.1175/BAMS-D-20-0012.1. S2CID 225202439.