Saskatchewan and Quebec nab Canada's first tornadoes in 2021
The first two tornadoes to occur in Canada this year were in Saskatchewan and Quebec, verified by Environment and Climate Change Canada Monday.
Canada's first two tornadoes were confirmed by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) Monday, with Saskatchewan and Quebec nabbing them, respectively.
The country's first twister in 2021 occurred 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.
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As a result, the tornado has been given a preliminary rating of EF-0.
"This was considered a landspout tornado that was generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms. Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous as they can topple trees, damage roofs, or toss debris a short distance," ECCC said in the summary issued Monday.
Meanwhile, Canada's second tornado of the year was spotted in Quebec on Saturday, May 15.
According to the agency, a low intensity tornado was observed in Saint-Méthode, Que., west of Lac-Saint-Jean, at approximately 1:20 p.m. The twister was captured on video by resident Martin Lachance.
While the tornado was short-lived, Environment Canada determined it was still impossible to rate it, given the absence of damage.
At the time, thunderstorms sweeping across the region also dropped pea-sized hail in northern Saguenay. Strong wind gusts were also reported in Roberval.
It was Quebec's earliest occurrence of a tornado in the past five years. On average, its first twister usually occurs almost a month later.
Thumbnail courtesy of Martin Lachance.
