Environment Canada confirms EF2 tornado south of Saskatoon

SASKATOON – On Saturday, July 5, a series of thunderstorms moved through south-central Saskatchewan producing several tornadoes from just north of Outlook to Davidson.

Environment Canada received reports of six tornadoes occurring with these storms between approximately 2:35 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

The agency reports that the two most significant tornadoes were reported north of Outlook and over Kenaston.

Environment Canada’s preliminary storm assessments are as follows:

Tornado 1

• Time: 2:35 p.m.
• Location: Approximately 20km north of Outlook
• Damage: Extensive damage to farm buildings and trees
• Preliminary Ratin: EF2
• Estimated Wind Speeds: 180-220 km/h

An EF2 tornado has wind speeds between 180 and 220 km/h. It is also determined by the amount of damage seen when the area is surveyed following the event.

Tornado 2

• Time: 3:20 p.m.
• Location: Kenaston
• Damage: Damage to cemetery, entrance gate, tombstones and trees knocked down
• Preliminary Rating: EF0
• Estimated Wind Speeds: 90-130 km/h

Global News reported on damage done by both these tornadoes including the miraculous story of a man and his son who survived a twister that left their farmyard demolished and how a community is recovering after over 40 tombstones, some over a century old, were completely destroyed.

There were also four other tornado reports received by Environment Canada Saturday afternoon, but they were generally short lived and did not cause significant damage.

One tornado was reported northwest of Kenaston around 3 p.m., another southwest of Kenaston around 3:17 p.m.

The fifth and sixth tornadoes of the day were observed about 15 km north of Davidson around 3:50 p.m. with both tornadoes on the ground simultaneously for a brief period of time.

Funnel clouds and baseball-sized hail were also reported in parts of the province Saturday.

Want your weather on the go? Download Global News’ Skytracker weather apps for iPhone, iPad and Android.