Alberta's higher-than-normal 2019 tornado count continues to grow
Alberta's 2019 total now at 22, seven more than the yearly average
Alberta's higher-than-normal tornado figure in 2019 continues to grow, with Environment Canada confirming that the total count is currently at 22 probable or confirmed tornadoes so far. The province usually sees about 15 each year on average, and 2019 is the busiet tornado season Alberta has experienced since 1989.
Two of its tornadoes recently received bumps in ratings, both to EF-2 from preliminary scores of EF-1, after the completion of on-site damage surveys conducted by the University of Western Ontario's Northern Tornadoes Project. The July 18 Carmangay and July 24 Hanmore Lake tornadoes were upgraded to an EF-2 classification.
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In addition to an above-normal number of tornadoes, Alberta has had a fair number of severe thunderstorms this summer that have produced damaging winds and large hail. One such storm on Aug. 2 dropped grapefruit-sized hail, while another on Aug. 6 produced damaging winds.
Grapefruit-sized hail during a storm in Stony Plain, Alberta. Submitted by Matea on August 2, 2019
Below is a list of probable or confirmed tornadoes in Alberta this year. There are several events that continue to be investigated by Environment Canada and more touchdowns may be confirmed at a later date.
APRIL
April 24, seven kilometres north of Peers, EF-0
JUNE WAS AN ACTIVE MONTH
June 13, 15 kilometres southwest of Strathmore, EF-0
June 14, 15 kilometres southwest of Medicine Hat, EF-0
June 23, five kilometres north of Fort Macleod, EF-0
June 25, two kilometres south of Sexsmith, EF-0
June 26, five kilometres north of Millet1, EF-0
June 28, Newbrook, EF-0
June 28, 23 kilometres south of Hylo, EF-0
June 28, 20 kilometres east of Lac la Biche, EF-0
June 28, Siebert Lake, EF-1
June 28, six kilometres northwest of Wolf Lake, EF-1
June 28, 15 kilometres southwest of Smith, EF-0
June 28, Cold Lake, EF-0
June 29, 20 kilometres southwest of Grovedale, EF-0
MUST SEE: TORNADO THREATENS TO TEAR THROUGH ALBERTA'S LANDSCAPE
JULY
July 7, 18 kilometres west of Lomond, EF-0
July 8, 63 kilometres northeast of Grande Cache, EF-0
July 14, four kilometres northeast of Crossfield, EF-0
July 16, nine kilometres north of Oyen, EF-0
July 18, 15 kilometres east of Carmangay, EF-2
July 24, Smoky Lake, EF-0
July 24, Hanmore Lake, EF-2
July 31, 12 kilometres southwest of Sylvan Lake, EF-0
AUGUST?
With the month just underway, it's certainly possible there will be more tornadoes as the season moves forward.
READ MORE: MUST SEE: Tornado 50 kilometres north of Calgary captured on video
