Instant Weather Announces Expanded Severe Weather Coverage for the 2023 Storm Season
At Instant Weather, our mission has always been to raise awareness about severe weather and provide a reliable source of clear, contextual information on impactful weather events. This year, we are thrilled to unveil our enhanced severe weather coverage for the 2023 storm season. Our journey began a decade ago with the establishment of Ontario Tornado Watch in 2013, aiming to improve weather safety during severe weather and tornado events.
Ten years later, we are excited to announce a significant expansion of our severe weather coverage, staying true to the foundation of our organization. Our goal is to deliver even more comprehensive, accurate, and timely information to help residents of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta stay safe during severe weather events this summer.
A major enhancement to Instant Weather's services is the introduction of new daily thunderstorm outlooks, updated twice daily by 12 AM and 12 PM. These outlooks provide detailed information on severe weather threats for the next two days, empowering our community to stay informed and make better decisions in the face of potentially dangerous weather conditions.
These daily thunderstorm outlooks can be found here: Alberta | Manitoba | Ontario | Saskatchewan
To further enhance clarity and understanding of storm risks, we have revised our forecast graphics. The thunderstorm risk forecasts now follow a straightforward level system, ranging from Isolated, Slight, Strong, Significant, and Extreme. Our forecasters will evaluate each storm threat using the latest model data and assign a severe level based on specific criteria, making our forecasts more transparent.
| Tornado | Hail | Wind Gusts | Flooding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlikely | < 2 cm [Dime] | < 90 km/h | < 50 mm |
| Isolated | 2 - 2.5cm [Nickel] | 90+ km/h | 50 - 75 mm |
| One or Two | 2.5 - 3cm [Quarter] | 100+ km/h | 75 - 100 mm |
| Several | 3 - 4cm [Ping Pong Ball] | 115+ km/h | 100 - 150 mm |
| Strong | 4 - 6cm [Golf Ball] | 125+ km/h | 150 - 200 mm |
| Outbreak | 6+ cm [Tennis Ball] | 140+ km/h | 200+ mm |
| Severe Levels | ||
|---|---|---|
| Non-Severe | Isolated | Slight |
| Strong | Significant | Extreme |
We have also introduced a separate tornado risk forecast to help you identify areas with the highest tornado risk.
Understanding the timing of severe weather is crucial. That's why we are launching a new regional thunderstorm timeline, which we will use during widespread severe events to provide more context on timing.
In addition to new thunderstorm outlooks and graphics, Instant Weather is expanding its live-streaming capabilities. Communities across Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta can now expect more frequent real-time storm coverage from Adam and the rest of the Instant Weather team, offering up-to-the-minute information on developing storms and their potential impacts on affected areas. This will include new graphics intended to update you on the latest watches and warnings from Environment Canada. And of course, our exclusive IW Pro radar which gives us the ability to track storms with precision.
To enhance the user experience and showcase our new offerings, Instant Weather has redesigned its website. The updated site features a cleaner layout and easier navigation, simplifying the process for you to find storm forecast articles and weather safety content needed to stay informed and safe during severe weather events.
Check out our new provincial home pages for the latest forecasts and weather safety articles:
With our expanded severe weather coverage, Instant Weather aims to become your go-to source for severe weather coverage across Canada. As we continue to grow, we hope to bring these enhanced services to other provinces in the near future!
