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Two EF1 tornadoes have been confirmed in Alberta from May 26th, 2025 by the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP). Thankfully, there were no injuries with these two tornadoes. The strongest of the two was on the ground for an impressive 21.2km and had estimated wind speeds of 175km/h. The two tornadoes touched down near Lac la Biche and left behind lengthy, narrow paths of damage, including a partially removed roof from a home and numerous snapped and uprooted trees.

Investigators from the NTP conducted thorough ground and drone surveys on May 28th and noted that Alannah and Patricia from our own Instant Weather team helped get their team deployed quickly. The NTP wrote: “Thanks to Alannah and Patricia at Instant Weather for their initial (late-night) alert to the damage, allowing us to get our team out faster!” We at IW are grateful that we were able to help NTP with their investigation and super thankful that no one was injured in these two tornadoes. The NTP meticulously documented the aftermath and their findings paint a clear picture of the two separate twisters that tore through the region.

The Atmore Twister – A Lengthy Path of Damage

The first tornado, designated the "Atmore" event, began its destructive journey at approximately 7:00 PM MDT (0100 UTC) on May 26th.

Final EF-Scale Rating: EF1

Estimated Max. Wind Speed: 175 km/h

Track Length: A substantial 21.2 km

Max. Path Width: 300 m

Motion: From the Southwest (approx. 220 degrees)

This twister carved a significant path, causing notable damage to homes near Atmore and Rossian (north of Plamondon). Reports detailed structural impacts and the NTP survey confirmed these, along with extensive tree damage. Satellite imagery review also highlighted the visible tree damage along its long, narrow track. Luckily, despite the substantial property damage, no injuries were reported.

The Avenir Tornado – A Shorter, Wider Impact

Just 25 minutes after the Atmore tornado began, a second EF1, named the "Avenir" event, touched down further to the northeast at approximately 7:25 PM MDT (0125 UTC).

Final EF-Scale Rating: EF1
Estimated Max. Wind Speed: 150 km/h
Track Length: 6.43 km
Max. Path Width: A slightly wider 370 m
Motion: From the South-Southwest (approx. 205 degrees)

While shorter in track length, the Avenir tornado left a clear signature, primarily impacting forested areas near the community of Avenir. Satellite imagery initially revealed its narrow path of tree damage, which was later confirmed and documented by the NTP's ground and drone survey. As with the Atmore event, no injuries were reported in connection with this tornado.

Understanding the Findings

The Northern Tornadoes Project plays a crucial role in confirming, classifying and analyzing tornado damage across Canada. Their use of satellite imagery, followed by on-the-ground surveys with drones, allows for precise classification and understanding of these powerful weather phenomena.

These EF1 tornadoes, with wind speeds reaching up to 175 km/h, serve as a reminder of the potential for severe weather in Alberta. While not the most powerful on the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, they are certainly capable of causing significant localized damage, as evidenced by the events near Lac la Biche.

Find out more & get notified

You can view precise tracks of these tornadoes and explore other Canadian tornado and downburst events on the interactive NTP Dashboard.
Always have a plan for severe weather and download our free app Instant Weather to get notified of any alerts from Environment Canada or any custom updates from the IW team regarding rotation, funnel cloud reports, etc.