A severe storm struck Winnipeg on Monday night, causing significant damage in the city’s southwest area, including the partial collapse of a house. There are indications suggesting a small tornado may have touched down in the neighborhood, a rarity for a major urban center. Further evaluation is required to confirm this occurrence, according to John Hanesiak, an atmospheric science professor at the University of Manitoba collaborating with the Northern Tornadoes Project.
Hanesiak mentioned the possibility of deploying drones for a more comprehensive assessment to determine the extent of the damage and the wind strength responsible for the destruction. The storm wreaked havoc by ripping off shingles and plywood from roofs, toppling fences, scattering barbecues and sheds, uprooting trees, and damaging a metal shelter for shopping carts in a grocery store parking lot.
Residents in the affected Whyte Ridge neighborhood expressed shock at the aftermath, likening it to scenes typically seen in U.S. tornado-prone regions. Lila Hillman and Cyndi Porcher, both residing on the street where much of the damage occurred, recounted the intensity of the storm and expressed relief that no injuries were reported.
City officials are currently assessing the storm’s impact, with a focus on significant tree damage as a primary concern. As of the early hours following the storm, there were numerous reports of downed or damaged trees, clogged catch basins, malfunctioning traffic signals, sewer backups, and missing manhole covers.
Meteorologist Brian Proctor from Environment and Climate Change Canada stated that the agency is evaluating the wind strength during the storm, indicating that radar data suggests gusts exceeding 90 km/h in certain areas. The damage caused by the storm may have been due to straight-line winds rather than a tornado, with such winds being powerful but non-rotating.
Southern Manitoba has experienced a series of severe weather events, including a confirmed tornado near Rossburn and heavy rainfall in Brandon and surrounding areas. Environment Canada issued an orange-level rainfall warning for western Manitoba, with additional rainfall expected and the possibility of localized flooding in specific regions. Proctor emphasized that severe weather conditions are expected to persist through June and July, with intermittent periods of stability and drier weather anticipated in the near future.