Tornado researchers have confirmed that two weak tornadoes caused damage during thunderstorms in the Kingston, Ontario area on June 30th. The Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) announced the findings, detailing the paths and intensity of the twisters.
The first tornado, classified as an EF-1, carved an 18-kilometre path, impacting farms and trees near Verona, Harrowsmith, and Hartington. It registered an estimated maximum wind speed of 150 km/h. The second tornado, an EF-0, caused tree damage along a 10.9-kilometre stretch from Kingston's Silvers Corners to Canadian Forces Base Kingston, with estimated top wind speeds of 115 km/h. Fortunately, neither tornado resulted in any injuries.
Environment Canada had issued a red-level tornado warning for the Kingston area on the day of the storms, the most urgent alert on its scale. The severe weather also brought flooding and toppled trees throughout Kingston, particularly in the northern and eastern parts of the city, leading to a brief suspension of transit operations.
The confirmation of these tornadoes comes after a period of intense weather in Eastern Ontario, which also included a significant heat event. While the storms brought damage, the lack of injuries highlights the resilience and preparedness of the affected communities.
