Severe thunderstorms swept through western Manitoba on Sunday, impacting an area still recovering from previous storms this month. The storms brought a powerful tornado that storm chaser Aaron Jayjack described as one of the strongest he has seen in Canada.
The confirmed tornado touched down southwest of Rossburn around 8 p.m., with another possible tornado reported near Roblin at 8:55 p.m. Environment and Climate Change Canada, in collaboration with the Northern Tornadoes Project, is investigating these tornado events.
Jayjack, tracking supercells during the day, witnessed the sudden development of the tornado, which rapidly intensified within an hour. The tornado caused significant damage as it moved towards Rossburn, narrowly missing some homes but impacting a farmhouse directly.
The tornado left a trail of destruction, damaging properties, uprooting trees, and flipping cars. The Rossburn Fire Department reported extensive damage to a century-old brick farmhouse and surrounding structures. Mayor Shirley Kalyniuk expressed concern for the affected families and pledged to explore municipal support options.
Jayjack, estimating the tornado as an EF3 on the enhanced Fujita scale, highlighted its unusual strength. The Northern Tornadoes Project will conduct further assessments to determine the tornado’s intensity and the extent of damage.
The storm also brought hail and strong winds to the region, with more unsettled weather expected. Officials are monitoring the situation closely and preparing for potential further impacts. The recent severe weather events in Manitoba have caused significant damage and disruptions, with communities still reeling from the aftermath of previous storms and flooding incidents.
