After only the US, Canada sees more tornadoes than anywhere else on Earth… and they might be getting stronger.
What happened: A massive tornado that tore through two towns north of Calgary over the weekend has been classified as stronger than 95% of tornadoes usually seen in Canada.
- With a maximum wind speed of 275 km/h, it was the strongest tornado to touch down in Alberta since 1987, according to the research group Northern Tornadoes Project.
Why it matters: As temperatures rise, severe tornadoes could become a more common occurrence as they migrate toward areas with higher populations, increasing the risks posed to humans and property.
Why it’s happening: Tornadoes form when warm, humid air clashes with cold, dry air. More heat means more opportunities for air temperature differences, leading to more violent storms.
What’s next: There’s not enough data to draw concrete conclusions about future Canadian tornadoes. Heck, we don’t even know the exact number of tornadoes that happen each year.
Bottom line: You’d think giant swirling towers of destruction would be easier to keep track of, but many go undetected since they occur in remote areas where nobody lives. The executive director of the Northern Tornadoes Project told Canadian Geographic that Ontario is the only place where they have enough data to paint a picture of future trends.—QH