Researchers have confirmed Nova Scotia saw its first tornado in nearly 22 years last month.
The Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University in Ontario has been investigating the storm, which impacted the Stewiacke region on June 30th.
Researchers made their conclusion after Environment and Climate Change Canada conducted a ground survey on July 1st.
They also examined drone footage that was captured by the public.
Nova Scotia’s first (and hopefully only) tornado of the year hit Stewiacke on the afternoon of June 30th. It caused EF1 damage to a barn (max wind speed 155 km/h), developing on the leading edge of a bow-echo storm that also produced a damaging downburst. Details below. #NSStorm pic.twitter.com/fc9Eptmayh
— Northern Tornadoes Project
(@westernuNTP) July 13, 2021
They say the EF1 tornado brought maximum winds of 155 km per hour, which obliterated a barn on a farm in the community and resulted in damage to nearby structures and trees.
The system also produced a damaging downburst. The phenomenon occurs when powerful winds descend from a storm and quickly disperse when they hit the ground.
The tornado stayed on the ground for about 600 metres and grew to a width of about 50 metres.
Researchers say the last recorded tornado in Nova Scotia was on August 18th, 1999 in Pugwash.
It’s also the strongest tornado on record for the province in 41 years.
