Canada's First Tornado of 2023 Confirmed Near Regina, Saskatchewan
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In what may seem like an unusually late start to Canada's tornado season, the nation's first tornado of 2023 touched down near Regina, Saskatchewan on May 27. The tornado, confirmed by both the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) and Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), caused significant localized damage but resulted in no reported injuries.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TORNADO - Photo courtesy of the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP)
The tornado occurred southeast of Regina at 8:55 p.m., initially rated as EF0, the lowest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale used to rate tornado strength. However, an NTP survey team later upgraded the rating to EF1, indicating more significant damage with an estimated maximum wind speed of 150 km/h.
The major impact was on a farm near Rowatt, where a large machine shed suffered roof damage. Witnesses reported debris blown up to 2.5 km NNE of the damage site. The owner of the farm, Jennifer Kreklewich, described the scene as a "disaster" and said the damage was more severe than what photos could show.
In addition to the tornado, the supercell storm also brought heavy rain, flooding, and severe hail to Regina that same night. Flash flooding led to water backlogs and multiple stranded vehicles in Regina's underpasses, with water damage reports pouring into insurance companies the next day. One notable business closure due to flooding was the Shoppers Drug Mart on Broad Street. There were also reports of toonie-sized hail across Regina.
According to Terri Lang, a meteorologist with ECCC, the size of a tornado doesn't necessarily indicate its strength. A tornado's strength is determined by the damage it causes, not its physical appearance. This is why many tornadoes are rated EF0, especially those that touch down in remote areas where their ability to cause damage can't be accurately analyzed. And was later upgraded once the damage was uncovered.
At the time of the storm, a local radar station near Regina was down, making it challenging for meteorologists to track the storm. ECCC meteorologists used radar near Saskatoon, western Manitoba, and northern Montana, as well as satellite photos, surface observations, and lightning detectors, to track the storm. The lack of a functioning local radar may have led to a delay in the tornado warning, which was issued seven minutes after the tornado touched down. There was a thunderstorm warning issued just after 8 p.m., following reports of heavy rain and hail.
Despite the challenges faced due to the radar outage, the tornado was quickly detected thanks to reports sent into Instant Weather from community members including from Stephanie W. that shared a picture that showed a clear funnel with debris on the ground
Additional tornado reports were received from storm chaser Craig Boehm which led Environment Canada to issue a tornado warning after touchdown. The Bethune radar station, which was down at the time, has returned to service.
