'Large, violent tornado' confirmed in Manitoba
Digital Reporter
Wednesday, July 29, 2015, 7:24 PM -
Environment Canada has confirmed that a high-end EF2 tornado with winds up to 217 km/h touched down near Pierson, Manitoba and remained on the ground for more than two hours Monday evening.
The weather agency made the announcement Wednesday, describing the twister as a "large, violent tornado".
Severe weather arrived as advertised in the Prairie provinces Monday afternoon as clusters of storms produced several reports of rain-wrapped and wedge tornadoes on the ground in parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Monday's tornado developed around 8:30 p.m. local time, and was last seen at 11 p.m. north of Virden.
Here's what that monster storm looked like on the radar:
"At this time, no significant damage or injuries have been received outside of some damage to a farm site near Tilston, Manitoba," the agency says.
#MBstorm pic from this evening N of Pierson, MB Tornado was so violent it ripped the asphalt from the hiway @680CJOB pic.twitter.com/RhqgzBYzBw
— Greg Johnson (@TornadoGreg) July 28, 2015
Well our farm is gone #mbstorm #largetornadoprobs
— Ashley Raynor (@araynor11) July 28, 2015
Weather Network Chief Meteorologist Chris Scott and Weather Network camera operator Shawn Legg tweeted images of storm damage, including torn up asphalt.
Regina experienced localized flooding, and several flights had to be diverted or delayed. There have also been reports of road damage west of Melita, Manitoba on Highway 256.
Active weather on the Prairies this week
Widespread rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 mm fell throughout Saskatchewan from Monday into Tuesday, with as much as 85 mm in Coronach, Sk.
Heavy rain then made its way from west to east, tracking into Manitoba Wednesday, where rainfall warnings were in effect.
Yeah, it might be a bit windy... #yqr #skstorm pic.twitter.com/u1lmGoZSWv
— VAP (@VeeEhPayne) July 29, 2015