Three tornadoes confirmed off the B.C. coast, a rarity for the province
British Columbia's climate may be diverse, but it's not famous for its tornadoes. In fact, it's one of Canada's least tornado-prone provinces, averaging fewer than one per year, meaning there are some years where none are sighted at all.
So eyebrows were certainly raised among early-risers in Comox on the shores of Vancouver Island, where several people reported spotting water spouts over the water a little before 6 a.m. PDT.
The twisters stayed offshore and no damage or injuries were reported.
After an investigation, the Northern Tornadoes Project, based at Western University in Ontario, announced that the spouts were three concurrent tornadoes over water.
The trio were given ratings of EF-0, with winds up to 137 km/h.
Michael Carter, a meteorologist at The Weather Network, said an upper-level trough helped triggered some widespread thunderstorms across parts of B.C. and Alberta Wednesday. Though not severe, cold temperatures aloft allowed for rapid cloud development as warmer air near the water's surface rose, helping fuel the waterspouts.
