Tornado in Canada

A tornado in Canada is a violently rotating column of air that touches the ground and can cause severe wind damage.

A tornado in Canada is a violently rotating column of air that touches the ground and can cause severe wind damage. Tornadoes have been recorded in every province and territory, though they occur most often in southern Ontario, Québec, the Prairie provinces, and parts of Atlantic Canada. Canada is generally cited as having the second-highest number of tornadoes in the world after the United States.

Occurrence and geography

Tornadoes can occur in all provinces and territories, but they are most frequent in southern Ontario, Québec, the Prairie provinces, and western New Brunswick. Arctic regions rarely experience tornadoes because tornadoes are virtually unknown in Arctic climates.

Seasonality and timing

Canadian tornadoes usually occur between spring and early fall, with the main season often described as April to September or May to August. They most often happen in the late afternoon or early evening, and activity typically peaks in late June and early July.

Intensity and impacts

Most Canadian tornadoes are relatively weak, with more than 90% classified as F0 to F1 on the Fujita scale. However, they can still destroy buildings, uproot trees, flip vehicles, and throw debris over wide areas. Severe tornadoes are less common but can produce some of the highest wind speeds on the planet.

Historical record

Canada’s deadliest tornado on record occurred in Regina, Saskatchewan, on 30 June 1912, killing 28 people. Historical and government records note that severe tornadoes have been documented across Canada for more than a century.