Tornado

Tornadoes are intense storms which can arise suddenly and are highly destructive. Tornadoes are expected to increase in frequency and intensity. Efforts to mitigate against tornadoes include reducing the risk to life and property through education, emergency preparedness and insurance.

Tornadoes are a strong vortex extending down from a cloud resulting from the mixing of warm, humid air with cool northern air masses. Records indicate that Canada experiences around 80 tornadoes a year and that Saskatchewan is one of the areas of high occurrence (Figure 1 and 2). The majority of tornadoes are weak (i.e. low on the Fujita Scale (Figure 3).

Canada’s deadliest tornado occurred in Regina on June 30, 1912 when 28 people died. Other notable tornadoes were experienced in 1920 - SE Saskatchewan, 1950 - Regina, 1989 - Montmartre and 2010 - Kwacatoose First Nation near Raymore.

Figure 1: Map of the Annual Number of Tornadoes in Canada (Source: NRCan)

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  Figure 2: Frequency of Tornadoes (Source: Environment Canada)
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  Figure 3: Intensity of Tornadoes (Source: Environment Canada)

Adaptation Actions

Actions that can be taken to minimize the risk and mitigate the effects of tornadoes include:

• Construct buildings to code
• Learn to recognize weather patterns and cloud formations that may develop into a tornado. Tornadoes generally track southwest to northeast.
• Become familiar with forecasting information available via the media and on the internet such as weather radar.
• Improve predictions and warning capability.
• Prepare for power outages.
• Insure against the risk of tornadoes where warranted and cost effective.
• Continue with emergency management and disaster assistance program.