Storm System Clears Ottawa-Gatineau Region

All weather warnings have ended for the Ottawa-Gatineau region after a fast-moving storm system passed through eastern Ontario and western Quebec on Thursday evening. The system brought intense heat, thunderstorms, and a brief tornado warning near Sharbot Lake.

Tornado Warning Issued Near Sharbot Lake

At 9:20 p.m., Environment Canada issued a tornado warning for the Sharbot Lake area, located southwest of Ottawa. Forecasters said a storm possibly producing a tornado was moving east. Within 20 minutes, the warning was downgraded to a severe thunderstorm warning. As of now, it is unclear whether a tornado actually occurred.

Broader Risk Extended Across Eastern Ontario

The tornado threat was part of a wider warning area that extended across many eastern Ontario communities west of Ottawa until about 10 p.m. and continued briefly for parts of western Quebec. The weather system brought strong wind gusts, large hail, heavy rain, and frequent lightning.

Environment Canada Urges Preparedness

Environment Canada reminded the public to take cover indoors—preferably in a basement—during severe weather. The agency emphasized that strong winds can damage trees, structures, and even overturn vehicles. A watch indicates favourable conditions for a storm, while a warning means hazardous weather is imminent or occurring.

Tornado Risk Had Been Flagged Since Tuesday

Forecasters had been highlighting the potential for tornadoes in eastern Ontario since Tuesday, citing unstable conditions due to high humidity and rising temperatures.

Intense Heat Preceded the Storm

Thursday also brought extreme heat to the capital. Ottawa reached a high of 33°C by 3 p.m., with humidex values peaking at 42°C—high enough for a heat warning, although not prolonged enough to qualify officially. A cooler 28°C is forecasted for Friday.

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Tornado Warning Lifted, Storm Risk Shifts East

A tornado warning issued Thursday morning for the Pembroke area has ended, according to Environment Canada. However, the region remains under threat as a severe thunderstorm warning moved in west of Gatineau, and several watches are active across eastern Ontario and western Quebec.

Storm Systems Impacting Large Region

Environment Canada forecasts that much of eastern Ontario and parts of western Quebec may face dangerous weather throughout the day. Wind gusts of up to 100 km/h, over 50 mm of rainfall, and possible hail are expected. The system has already moved through Algonquin Park and reached Pembroke by late morning, prompting the earlier tornado alert.

Tornado Risk Near Ottawa, Not Further West

While Ottawa faces a continued tornado risk Thursday afternoon, there are no tornado warnings for other communities like Bancroft, Belleville, or Pembroke at this time. Still, those regions could experience damaging winds, heavy rain, and lightning under the current storm watches.

Weather Conditions Fueled by Cold Front

The stormy conditions are being driven by a cold front advancing through southern and eastern Ontario. The front is clashing with lingering heat and humidity, triggering unstable atmospheric conditions conducive to severe weather formation.

Safety Measures Still in Effect

Though the tornado threat in Pembroke has ended, Environment Canada urges residents in affected areas to remain vigilant. People are advised to stay indoors, seek shelter in basements or interior ground-floor rooms, and avoid windows. Vehicles should not be used during extreme weather events due to the risk of overturning.

What Environment Canada Recommends

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are favourable for hazardous storms, while warnings indicate storms are imminent or already occurring. The agency emphasizes preparation and quick action as key to staying safe when storm alerts are active.

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Saskatchewan Faces Unprecedented Tornado Surge

Record Activity Confirmed by Tracking Project
Saskatchewan has experienced 17 tornadoes so far in 2025, outpacing all other Canadian provinces combined, according to data from the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP), a national research initiative based at Western University in London, Ontario. The spike includes 10 tornadoes recorded in a single day—June 19—marking one of the most active days since the project began tracking in 2017.

Tornadoes Strike South and Central Regions

Locations and Ratings Detailed
The tornadoes primarily hit south and central areas between Estevan and Saskatoon. On June 19, two EF-2 tornadoes tore through Kronau and Frobisher, with three EF-1 twisters reported in South Touchwood, Hubbard, and Blackstrap Lake. Additional EF-0 tornadoes affected communities such as Young, Vibank, and Hirsch. Earlier and later events include EF-rated storms near Cut Knife on June 2 and Stockholm on June 29.

Uncommon Outbreaks Spark Concern

Meteorological Factors at Play
David Sills, NTP Director, noted that 12 of the 17 tornadoes occurred within a three-day window from June 19 to 21. He attributes the outbreak to a combination of extreme surface heat and the precise timing of weather fronts. “It’s a matter of timing and coincidence—peak heating and frontal collisions,” Sills said. Though uncommon, such outbreaks are not unheard of in prairie provinces.

Community Impact Felt on the Ground

Damage and Close Calls in Hubbard
In Hubbard, northeast of Regina, residents Kayla Chamberlin and Shawn Hanofski witnessed a tornado touch down in their yard. Their home sustained minor roof damage, but the surrounding farmland was hit harder—trees uprooted and equipment scattered. “You could hear things being smacked up against the house,” said Chamberlin. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported from any confirmed tornado in Canada this year.

Historical Comparison and Outlook

2025 Exceeds Tornado Trends
On average, Saskatchewan records 14 tornadoes per year. This year’s tally has already exceeded that mark—and it’s only July. For context, 2022 saw 26 tornadoes, while just one was reported in 2023. The rest of Canada has seen only 13 tornadoes this year: Alberta and Quebec with four each, Manitoba and Ontario with two, and British Columbia with one.

Experts Hope Peak Has Passed

Seasonal Shift May Reduce Threat
While June and July typically mark peak tornado season, activity usually drops off in August. “Hopefully we’ve seen the peak and we’ll tail off now,” Sills said. Nonetheless, experts urge residents to remain prepared and consider structural reinforcements, as shown in one case where special roof bracing likely prevented major home damage.

Summary

Saskatchewan is experiencing a record-setting tornado season, with more tornadoes than the rest of Canada combined. The surge has brought damage to rural areas but, thankfully, no loss of life. As the season wanes, researchers continue to monitor conditions closely.

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Tornado Confirmed Near Lodgepole, Alberta

A tornado touched down on Wednesday afternoon in central Alberta, just west of Drayton Valley, causing tree damage but sparing nearby homes and communities. The twister formed from a powerful “supercell” thunderstorm that moved through the region, prompting immediate alerts from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).

Eyewitnesses Spot Rapid Twister Formation

Storm chaser Trenten Pentelichuk was on the scene near the hamlet of Lodgepole, approximately 175 kilometres southwest of Edmonton. He had been monitoring storm activity all afternoon when conditions escalated. “Around 4 p.m., things kind of started taking off,” he said, noting the quick development of the tornado. He and his team tracked the tornado as it touched down, later using a drone to assess the aftermath.

Damage Assessment Reveals Minimal Impact

The tornado cut through a forested area, toppling several trees but avoiding nearby farmlands. “It was, I guess, what you’d call an ideal spot for a tornado,” Pentelichuk added. No injuries or structural damages have been reported, making it a relatively mild event in terms of impact.

Research Team Verifies Tornado Event

The Northern Tornadoes Project, a team of researchers based at Western University, confirmed the tornado’s occurrence on Thursday. Project director Dave Sills explained that damage patterns—particularly the narrow, elongated trail through trees—help determine whether a tornado formed. “We’ll be looking at the number of trees down and over what area,” Sills said.

Meteorologists Explain Storm Origins

ECCC meteorologist Brian Proctor confirmed the tornado developed from a supercell thunderstorm, a powerful system common on the Canadian Prairies. He noted that such storms are especially prone to creating rotating funnels. “We’ve seen what appears to be tornado debris across a treed area, with trees laid in opposite directions—indicative of rotation,” Proctor stated.

Tornado Season Trends in Alberta

This marks the fourth confirmed tornado in Alberta so far this summer. In contrast, Saskatchewan has already recorded 12 tornadoes—nearing its seasonal average of 14 to 15. While Alberta typically sees fewer tornadoes than its eastern neighbour, this event is part of an active season across the Prairies.

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Central Alberta Sees Tornado Warning Lifted Wednesday

A tornado warning issued by Environment Canada at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday has been officially lifted for parts of central Alberta, including areas southwest of Edmonton. The warning initially affected Wolf Lake, Cynthia, Brazeau Dam, Drayton Valley, Breton, Alder Flats, and Winfield. It has since been downgraded to a tornado watch.

Tornado Watch Remains in Effect for Several Regions

Despite the lifted warning, a tornado watch continues for multiple communities in Alberta. This indicates that atmospheric conditions are still favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms and possible tornadoes. Residents are urged to remain alert as storm systems continue to evolve across the province.

Recommended Safety Actions from Officials

In the event of a tornado, Environment Canada advises residents to immediately move indoors to a small, windowless room on the lowest floor—such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell, or interior closet. Mobile homes, vehicles, tents, and trailers should be avoided in favour of solid shelter. If no structure is nearby, lying flat in a low-lying area and covering the head to guard against flying debris is recommended.

Severe Weather Threat Continues Across Alberta

Alberta is currently under a combination of tornado watches, severe thunderstorm watches, and widespread heat warnings. The convergence of intense heat and unstable atmospheric conditions has increased the likelihood of rapidly forming storms and dangerous weather across several parts of the province.

Authorities Monitoring for Further Developments

Environment Canada and local emergency services are closely monitoring the situation and advising residents to stay updated through official channels, weather apps, and emergency alerts. While the tornado warning for the Drayton Valley region has ended, weather conditions remain volatile.

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The post Tornado Warning Lifted in Alberta, Watch Still Active first appeared on Maple News Wire.

Sudden Alert Issued for London and Area

Environment Canada issued a tornado warning on Monday afternoon at 3:48 p.m. for London, Parkhill, and Eastern Middlesex County in Ontario. The alert triggered immediate notifications on cell phones and local emergency networks, urging residents to take shelter.

Tornado Warning Cancelled Shortly After

Just 12 minutes later, the warning was lifted without confirmation of a tornado touching down. By 4:25 p.m., all warnings and watches had been removed for the London region, although evening forecasts still called for a 70% chance of showers or thundershowers.

Lucan Funnel Cloud Report Sparked Alert

According to Environment Canada meteorologist Luke Crawford, the warning was based on a 3:30 p.m. phone report from a storm chaser near Lucan, north of London. The caller described a visible funnel cloud, prompting immediate action by meteorologists.

Social Media Images Raised Further Questions

Photographs posted to social media appeared to show a potential tornado forming between 3:24 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. in the Lucan area. However, no official confirmation of ground contact or damage had been made as of late Monday afternoon.

Why the Warning Was Issued Without Confirmation

Crawford explained that the decision to issue a warning was made out of caution. “The individual saw what they believed was a funnel cloud, but we couldn’t confirm whether it touched down,” he said. “The alert was issued based on protocol for public safety.”

How Canadians Should Respond to Sudden Warnings

Environment Canada advises Canadians to seek immediate shelter if they see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, or hear a loud roaring noise. “Warnings may be brief, but the risk is real,” said Crawford. Residents are reminded to remain alert and monitor local forecasts during unstable weather.

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Severe Alerts Shake Saskatchewan’s Southeast

On Thursday afternoon, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued multiple tornado warnings for communities across southeast Saskatchewan. These urgent alerts were triggered by radar-indicated rotation and storm chaser reports of funnel clouds and possible tornado touchdowns.

Warning Timeline and Affected Areas

The first tornado warning was announced at 4:20 p.m. CST, impacting Stoughton, Arcola, Lampman, Bienfait, North Portal, Alameda, and Oxbow. By 5 p.m., an emergency alert was sent out to all mobile devices in the region, urging residents to seek shelter immediately. Over the next 30 minutes, three more tornado warnings extended coverage to over two dozen additional communities, raising alarm across the region.

What Authorities Are Saying

Kyle McAulay, meteorologist with ECCC, confirmed that although tornadoes were not officially verified by radar, multiple credible storm chasers near Estevan and Regina had reported tornado sightings.
“A warning for Regina was issued soon after the southeast alerts, based on similar storm conditions,” McAulay said. “We also monitored radar patterns just south of Saskatoon, but no ground confirmations have been made for that area.”

Eyewitness Account Near White City

Harrison Webster, a local resident, described a close encounter with what appeared to be a tornado southeast of White City.
“We had just gotten home when the emergency alert came through,” Webster recalled. “A few minutes later, my wife spotted the funnel cloud forming. It gained strength briefly, then faded.”

Safety Measures and Public Guidance

ECCC continues to advise residents under tornado warnings to take immediate shelter in basements, storm shelters, or interior rooms away from windows.
“If you spot a funnel cloud or receive a tornado alert, do not delay. Seek safety right away,” McAulay emphasized.

Current Status and Next Steps

As of Thursday evening, no major damage or injuries had been reported. ECCC is closely monitoring the evolving weather systems and has encouraged the public to follow official channels for real-time updates. Storm surveys are expected Friday to confirm any touchdowns and assess potential damage paths.

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