The Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) has officially confirmed that three tornadoes, all rated EF-0, touched down in Manitoba on August 5th and 6th, 2025. These events contribute to the current season's tornado activity across Canada, which has seen a notable decrease compared to previous years.
The first confirmed tornado occurred near Melita on August 5th. While captured on video, this twister did not result in any reported damage. The following day, August 6th, saw two more EF-0 tornadoes. One touched down near Birds Hill Provincial Park, generating estimated winds of 115 km/h and causing minor damage to trees. The second tornado on August 6th was located near Dugald, also with estimated wind speeds of 115 km/h, leading to minor damage to crops and trees. These recent occurrences bring the total number of confirmed tornadoes in Canada for 2025 to 35, a significant decrease from the 129 tornadoes confirmed in 2024.
David Sills, director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, noted that Manitoba typically averages eight confirmed tornadoes annually but has only verified five so far in 2025. Nationally, the pattern of reduced activity is also evident, with only 38 tornadoes confirmed across Canada this year, a stark contrast to the 129 from the previous summer. Southern Saskatchewan has been an exception, accounting for 17 of the confirmed tornadoes this season.
The Northern Tornadoes Project, headquartered at Western University, collaborates with Environment and Climate Change Canada to investigate and confirm tornado activity. Their ground teams assess damage to determine the intensity of these weather events. While the EF-0 rating signifies the weakest category of tornadoes, capable of causing minor damage, the presence of these storms underscores the dynamic weather patterns experienced in the region. Experts suggest that factors such as active wildfires may be contributing to the quieter conditions this season. Despite the lower numbers, the storm season is not over, and the potential for further tornado activity in August across the Prairies remains.