Tornado or microburst? EC investigates storm damage
Digital Reporter
Friday, August 21, 2015, 2:16 PM - Environment Canada is assessing damage in the Abitibi region of southern Quebec after severe storms slammed the area.
An unseasonable weather pattern swept across Ontario and parts of Quebec Thursday. A Colorado low ushered in thunderstorms, heavy rain, damaging winds and cooler temperatures which brought an end to the heat wave in the province. Several severe thunderstorm watches and warnings were issued.
A line of storms crossed the Abitibi region from west to east. The area saw between 15 and 25 mm of rain. Reports show several trees were knocked down and buildings were damaged.
On Friday morning EC investigated and based on damage reports, sources indicate there was either a microburst or tornado. This has yet to be confirmed.
Although there was rotation visible on the radar, the survey will determine the cause of damage.
"A microburst is a small-scale downburst, thus a very localized column of sinking air caused by a small and intense downdraft (the air does not spin like it does in the case of a cyclone or tornado) within a thunderstorm," Dayna Vettese, The Weather Network's manager of meteorological briefing said.
The winds in a microburst can be just as strong as a low-scale tornado, Vettese added.
A farm building was completely destroyed and tractors were knocked over including a combine-harvester in Palmarolle, EC reports. In D'Alembert, about 60 trees were uprooted or snapped off, while Mont-Brun and Aiguebelle Park and Guyenne saw several trees damaged as well. Strong winds also ripped off the siding of a home in Guyenne and in Amos, a farmers market was damaged.
The investigation continues.
Source: The Weather Network | Mediat
