May 25 storms produce Canada's first EF-2 tornadoes in 2021
Three of the tornadoes occurred in Quebec, bringing its 2021 total to four, while the other was confirmed in Ontario -- the province's first of the year.
Tornado season in Canada is well underway, with another four twisters confirmed in 2021 -- the country's first that were given EF-2 ratings.
On Monday, the Western University-based Northern Tornadoes Project verified four tornadoes occurred in Canada on May 25 -- three in Quebec and one in Ontario. All four were given preliminary damage ratings of EF-2.
SEE ALSO: Saskatchewan and Quebec nab Canada's first tornadoes in 2021
Because they all occurred in heavily forested areas, satellite imagery was used to confirm the extent of the damage and the path of the tornadoes.
The first twister occurred in Ontario -- the province's first of the year -- verified in Little Antler Lake, near Chapleau, Ont., at 6:35 p.m. It had an estimated maximum wind speed of 190 km/h, a preliminary track length of 33.4 km and maximum path width of 260 metres.
In Quebec, which had the other three, the first occurred in Petit lac Bull Rock at 7:05 p.m. It had an estimated maximum wind speed of 190 km/h, a preliminary track length of 10.4 km and maximum path width of 860 metres.
The second tornado took place in Lac des Deux Cantons at 7:30 p.m. It had an estimated maximum wind speed of 190 km/h, a preliminary track length of 15.5 km and maximum path width of 570 metres.
The third tornado in Quebec on May 25 occurred in Lac Simson at 8:25 p.m. It has an estimated maximum wind speed of 190 km/h, a preliminary track length of 16.9 km and maximum path width of 440 metres.
CANADA'S OTHER TORNADOES IN 2021
Quebec now has four confirmed tornadoes in 2021, with its first twister occurring Saturday, May 15 in Saint-Méthode.
Manitoba has also had two landspout tornadoes so far this year, with one occurring on Friday, May 14 near Roblin, while the other taking place on Saturday, May 15 in the Sandy Bay area.
Saskatchewan recorded the country's first tornado in 2021, occurring at approximately 12:25 pm local time on Wednesday, May 12. The brief tornado was observed about 10 km northwest of Saskatoon, Sask. Environment and Climate Change Canada received multiple reports and photos, but there were no reports of damage.
As a result, the tornado had been given a preliminary rating of EF-0.
Thumbnail shows the damage path of the Little Antler Lake, Ont., tornado on May 25, courtesy of the Northern Tornadoes Project.
