The Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) has confirmed the occurrence of Canada’s first tornado and microburst of 2026. The weather events took place on May 9, affecting areas in Ontario.
Following detailed damage surveys conducted earlier this week, officials identified both an EF0 tornado and an EF0 microburst. The EF0 designation represents the lowest rating on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
Impacts in Lucan and Granton
A microburst occurred south of Lucan, with estimated maximum wind speeds reaching 130 km/h. The event caused damage to a farm building, specifically removing the roof of a barn.
The same storm system produced an EF0 tornado south of Granton. This tornado reached estimated maximum wind speeds of 110 km/h and followed a west-to-east motion.
Damage in the Granton area included a toppled truck pulling a trailer and a solar panel on a pedestal. Investigators also documented broken large tree branches and limited weak tree damage in a small area.
Investigation and Analysis
The Northern Tornadoes Project utilized both ground and drone surveys on May 10, 2026, to confirm the events. Drone imagery captured the fallen walls and removed roof of the impacted barn in Lucan.
While the tornado’s path is believed to be at least 1 km long, exact track details remain uncertain due to limited damage indicators. The start time for the event was determined via radar estimates.
Potential Next Steps
A satellite review is currently underway, which may provide more definitive data regarding the storm’s timeline. Further analysis of radar data could potentially refine the estimated start time of the events.
As the season progresses, the Northern Tornadoes Project is likely to continue conducting damage surveys to track similar severe weather patterns across the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Were there any casualties during these events?
No injuries were reported in either the Lucan or Granton areas.
What was the maximum wind speed of the confirmed tornado?
The EF0 tornado south of Granton had estimated maximum wind speeds of 110 km/h.
What caused the damage to the barn in Lucan?
The damage, which included the removal of the barn’s roof, was caused by an EF0 microburst with wind speeds estimated at 130 km/h.
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