Project Reports
Document Type
Report
Publication Date
1-12-2018
URL with Digital Object Identifier
10.5206/ntpr181
Abstract
Summary
Northern Tornadoes Flyover Project: Summary Technical Report of the Year 1 Pilot Study
Gregory A. Kopp, Emilio Hong and Joanne Kennell Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Ontario
David Sills Environment and Climate Change Canada
12 January 2018
The objectives of the Year 1 Pilot Study were to (i) develop a methodology for determining tornado occurrence in Northern Ontario, and (ii) obtain research quality data for at least one event. Because of the isolation of many regions, the approach assumed the use of radar data analysis combined with aerial surveys. These objectives were achieved. Aerial surveys were conducted for a total of seven events in Ontario and southern Quebec and 15 confirmed or probable tornadoes identified. Archival geo-tagged imagery was obtained for six of these events. Ten confirmed or probable tornadoes were identified in Ontario, five of which were not in the OSPC database. In addition, 5 tornadoes were confirmed in Quebec. For the 2017 season, the OSPC had a list of 10 verified tornadoes, as of December 21, 2017. The pilot project raises this number to 15. In total, 4 EF2 tornadoes and 1 EF3 tornado were identified via aerial photography. The remainder were EF1 or EF0.
UPDATE – 1 March 2021
Based on the analysis of newly available Planet.com high-resolution satellite imagery and the use of related tools, events were reassessed and six additional tornadoes were discovered. However, four tornadoes were reassessed as downbursts. Overall, an additional two tornadoes were added to the 2017 count. The updated events are listed in a revised 2017 summary table appended at the end of this document.