September 21, 2018 - End of summer tornado strikes Dunrobin, Ontario

One of six tornadoes to hit the province on Sept. 21, 2018, the Dunrobin twister was the most powerful in eastern Ontario in more than 100 years.

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In the afternoon of Sept. 21, 2018 - the last day of summer - an EF-3 tornado touched down in Dunrobin, Ont. One of six tornadoes to hit the province that day, the Dunrobin twister was the most powerful in eastern Ontario in more than 100 years.

It was also the first time since 1898 that an F3 tornado or stronger occurred anywhere in Canada this late in the year.

The tornado plowed through Kinburn-Dunrobin, skipped across the Ottawa River and trekked through the lower Pontiac region of western Quebec before striking the Mont-Bleu neighbourhood of Gatineau.

Sept 21, 2018 - Dunrobin, Ontario tornado

An EF-3 tornado hit Kinburn-Dunrobin on Sept. 21, 2018. Photo: The Weather Network.

Less than an hour later, another line of thunderstorms crossed the Ottawa Valley, spawning another tornado that struck Ottawa, this one an EF-2.

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The Dunrobin-Gatineau tornado lasted 40 minutes and tore a path almost 40 kilometres long, destroying or severely damaging more than 50 homes while uprooting thousands of trees and hydro poles. About 430,000 people were left without power, which lasted for days for some. Although there were several injuries, no one died.

On today's podcast, Chris Mei talks about the powerful Dunrobin tornado and the damage it caused and the conditions that led to the EF-3-rated twister.

"This Day In Weather History” is a daily podcast by The Weather Network that features unique and informative stories from host Chris Mei.