Canadian Severe Storms Lab
@cssl.ca
2.1K followers 78 following 13 posts
The Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory (CSSL) at Western University is the authoritative source for severe convective storms data and research in Canada.
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Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernuntp.bsky.social
The CSSL/NTP assisted the US National Weather Service (NWS) with their upgrading of the official rating of the June 2025 Enderlin, ND tornado from EF3 to EF5.

Announced by the NWS today, it’s the first EF5-rated tornado in the US since 2013.

Details here: uwo.ca/ntp/blog/202...

Image B. Emfinger
Drone photo courtesy Brian Emfinger and used with permission.
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
connellmiller.ca
Excited to announce that my method for estimating wind speeds based on lofted debris in tornadoes was used as contextual evidence for upgrading the Enderlin, ND tornado to an EF5!

doi.org/10.1175/MWR-...

#NDwx #Enderlin #EF5 #Tornado
cssl.ca
Two new open access journal papers today from CSSL researchers!

Stochastic Modeling of Radar-derived Maximum Estimated Size of Hail for Scenario-based Hail Loss Estimation
doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...

Multi-Level In-Situ Measurements During a Direct Hit by a Significant Tornado
doi.org/10.1080/0705...
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernunhp.bsky.social
**Damage Survey Announcement: Following an extreme rainfall event and resulting flash flooding across SE Manitoba on Sept 11 & 12, a CSSL damage survey team will be conducting an assessment of the event's impacts. Please let us know if you have any rainfall and/or damage reports! #mbstorm @cssl.ca
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernuntp.bsky.social
The NTP has confirmed that a downburst (paired with large hail) caused high-end EF1 damage in the Brooks, AB area on August 20.

Details at the NTP blog here: uwo.ca/ntp/blog/202...

Note that ongoing analysis may result in additional events and/or a rating upgrade.

#ABstorm #SKstorm
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernuntp.bsky.social
The NTP has confirmed two EF1 downbursts (one being a microburst), an EF0 tornado and a gustnado from the SK storms of Aug 20 near Saskatoon.

The assessments are based on witness reports, an NTP damage survey, and radar/satellite imagery analysis.

Details here: uwo.ca/ntp/blog/202...

#SKstorm
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
davesills.ca
New Paper Alert! "Analysis of Forest-Based Tornadoes Using Treefall Patterns" in Monthly Weather Review, authored by our team at @cssl.ca and led by PhD candidate Daniel Butt. Based on this and other techniques, we may be able to re-rate some Canadian tornadoes.

journals.ametsoc.org/view/journal...
cssl.ca
UPDATE: Two NTP teams will investigate wind damage, one in SE AB and one in central SK. The NHP will also have a team investigating hail damage in the Cassils / Brooks, AB area.

Please send significant damage reports to @ntp-reports.bsky.social and @nhp-reports.bsky.social. #ABstorm #SKstorm
westernuntp.bsky.social
There are numerous reports of significant wind damage in southeastern Alberta from intense storms earlier today. Hail damage has also been reported.

An NTP survey team will leave tomorrow for the area to thoroughly assess the damage.

Please send damage reports to @ntp-reports.bsky.social. #ABstorm
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernuntp.bsky.social
There are numerous reports of significant wind damage in southeastern Alberta from intense storms earlier today. Hail damage has also been reported.

An NTP survey team will leave tomorrow for the area to thoroughly assess the damage.

Please send damage reports to @ntp-reports.bsky.social. #ABstorm
cssl.ca
The Canadian Severe Storms Lab is excited to be a sponsor of the 41st AMS International Conference on Radar Meteorology in Toronto next week. Welcome to all those travelling from afar!

And it looks to be a stellar program - have a look here: www.ametsoc.org/ams/meetings...

#AMS41Radar
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernu.ca
“Scientists-turned-storm chasers” are tracking down Alberta hail storms to better understand how to protect against them.
Researchers from the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory ( @cssl.ca ) at #WesternU spoke with the @theglobeandmail.com about the Northern Hail Project.
In Alberta’s ‘Hailstorm Alley,’ scientists-turned-storm-chasers look into the eye of the storm for answers
Researchers from Western University aim to use data from hard-hit areas to help Canada better understand – and protect against – dangerous and costly hail damage
buff.ly
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
telus-spark.bsky.social
Spark had the best rainy day with the Canadian Severe Storm Lab. Guests got to learn how the Northern Hail Project team tracks down the perfect #storm and the tools used to get hail data!

They also showed off their storm-chasing vehicles and surveillance drones. ⛈️

Thanks for coming @cssl.ca!
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernuntp.bsky.social
After extensive analysis, the NTP is able to provide documentation for the 10 tornadoes that occurred as part of an outbreak in southern SK on June 19th. The outbreak included 2 EF2 and three EF1 tornadoes.

Full details at www.uwo.ca/ntp/blog/202...

#SKstorm
cssl.ca
The CSSL is featured in the current episode of CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks! Head here for the link to the audio:

www.cbc.ca/radio/quirks...

Thanks to our colleagues Harold Brooks, John Allen, Paul Kovacs and Tanya Brown-Giammanco for contributing.
CSSL researchers examine tree damage
cssl.ca
Big crowd for this month’s CSSL Seminar now that all of the interns have started (there are even more online). Speaking today is Dr. Connell Miller, Director of CSSL’s Northern Mesonet Project (@westernunmp.bsky.social), on experimental tornado wind estimation methods. @westernuresearch.bsky.social
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernuntp.bsky.social
The NTP has confirmed that a tornado occurred in southern Alberta near Rolling Hills yesterday. Analysis of photos/video, radar and storm environment indicates that this was a 'landspout'-type tornado. It is also the first recorded tornado of the year in Canada. Further details soon. #ABstorm
houckispokisewx.bsky.social
Another incredible photo of the landspout tornado half an hour ago near Tilley and Rolling Hills from Bantry Seed Farms #abstorm
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernuntp.bsky.social
The NTP has completed a third Tornado Warning Performance Assessment for Canada, this time covering 2023-2024. It includes a 'report card' on progress.

And we're happy to report that there has been progress - the overall score has improved enough to earn a 'C'.

Details here: uwo.ca/ntp/blog/202...
NTP Tornado Warning Performance Assessment cover page
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernunmp.bsky.social
A very big update is now live on the Canadian Mesonet Portal! This includes new meteorological variables, saving / exporting settings and more! For more details, you can check out the link below. But here are the main highlights for you to see in a 🧵:

www.uwo.ca/nmp/news/202...
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
westernuntp.bsky.social
NTP's Annual Report for 2024 is now available!

The 2024 Canadian tornado season started Mar 16 and ended Nov 10 - the longest on record since at least 1980. And the 129 tornadoes for the year comes second only to 2022 when there was 131.

Press release and link: news.westernu.ca/2025/02/torn...
cssl.ca
There is one remaining online info session for those interested in CSSL intern opportunities - Jan 23 at 7 pm ET. Note the application deadline is Jan 27.

You can learn more about the CSSL internship program and how to register for the info session here: westernuniversity.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Canadian Severe Storms Lab
essl-ecss.bsky.social
The sad news reached us that Chuck Doswell has passed away. ESSL will be forever grateful for his intensive engagement. With his unique talent to reduce severe storm science to its core and his engaging style of teaching and friendliness he has made an enormous impact on European storm research.