STORM2K

I didn't know where to post this, if I put it in Global Weather, then no one would look, but since I am surrounded by the USA in 3 directions, these storms would have affected the USA anyhow. This was from the same storms that hit Wisconsin with that tornado outbreak.

Also, if anyone knows of tornado watches/warnings for areas around Buffalo that day, I'd like to know. I left for Florida the very morning of this. Missed one big storm.

Ontario's most expensive weather disaster.
On the afternoon of August 19, a line of severe thunderstorms tracked eastward across southern Ontario from Kitchener to Oshawa, including the northern half of Toronto. In its wake, the storm left a trail of damage that, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, represented the highest insured loss in the province's history, exceeding $500 million. That's more than two and a half times Ontario's losses during the infamous ice storm of 1998 and the second largest loss event in Canadian history.

Literally dozens of thunderstorms were popping up at any one time. At its worst, the system spawned two F2 tornadoes with gusts between 180 and 250 km/h. The first tornado tracked through Milverton to Conestogo Lake (west of Elmira). The second moved from Salem to Lake Bellwood (north of Guelph). The twisters uprooted hundreds of trees, chewed the limbs off of countless others, downed power lines, tossed cars and trucks aside, and ripped into several homes, cottages and barns. To illustrate the storm's incredible force, at one farm, the twisting winds drove a ballpoint pen seven centimetres deep into a tree, splitting the trunk.

Although a rare tornado warning was issued for Toronto, the storm packed a different wallop as it approached from the northwest. The storm featured torrential rains, quarter- to golf-ball size hail, strong straight-line winds and flash flooding. During the height of the tempest, wind gusts peaked at 72 km/h and there were 1,400 lightning strikes per minute. However, it was the flash flooding that caused the greatest destruction. The storm dumped 103 mm of rain in one hour across a swath of North York and surrounding area. That compares to 53 mm in one hour from Hurricane Hazel in 1954. At Environment Canada's Downsview offices, 130 mm of rain fell - 100 mm in less than an hour - an unprecedented amount for any storm in Toronto, and easily greater than the one in one hundred years storm. The deluge flooded two floors of the Downsview building, prompting employees to huddle in the basement and interior auditorium in order to ride out the storm. A block or two to the north in Thornhill, a weather watcher emptied her rain gauge at 175 mm. Around the city, torrential rains snarled traffic and stranded drivers. Fire services responded to more than 1,000 calls. In one dramatic scene, marine services personnel rescued four people who fell into the fast-moving currents of the Don River.

An early tally found that there were over 15,000 insurance claims submitted for sewer backups caused by torrential rains and for structural wind damage. Not included in the insured losses were enormous infrastructure damages across the city. For example, about 30 m of Finch Avenue West was washed out. Repairs had still not been completed by the end of the year.

Tornado watches/warnings that day. I am KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO.

SEVERE WEATHER BULLETIN
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 12:50 PM EDT FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2005.
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WATCHES/WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN ONTARIO...

TORNADO WATCH FOR:
=NEW= GODERICH - BLUEWATER - SOUTHERN HURON COUNTY
=NEW= WINGHAM - BLYTH - NORTHERN HURON COUNTY
=NEW= KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO
=NEW= GUELPH - ERIN - SOUTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY
=NEW= DUFFERIN - INNISFIL
=NEW= GREY - BRUCE
=NEW= BARRIE - COLLINGWOOD - HILLSDALE
=NEW= MIDLAND - COLDWATER - ORR LAKE.

..RISK OF A TORNADO AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT THIS AFTERNOON..

THIS IS AN ALERT TO THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TORNADOES AND
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.

MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS..LISTEN FOR UPDATED STATEMENTS.
IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES..TAKE IMMEDIATE SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS.

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SEVERE WEATHER BULLETIN
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 12:57 PM EDT FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2005.
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WATCHES/WARNINGS IN EFFECT FOR SOUTHERN ONTARIO...

TORNADO WATCH FOR:
=NEW= STRATFORD - MITCHELL - SOUTHERN PERTH COUNTY
=NEW= LISTOWEL - MILVERTON - NORTHERN PERTH COUNTY
=NEW= MOUNT FOREST - ARTHUR - NORTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY
=NEW= ORILLIA - LAGOON CITY - WASHAGO
GODERICH - BLUEWATER - SOUTHERN HURON COUNTY
WINGHAM - BLYTH - NORTHERN HURON COUNTY
KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO
GUELPH - ERIN - SOUTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY
DUFFERIN - INNISFIL
GREY - BRUCE
BARRIE - COLLINGWOOD - HILLSDALE
MIDLAND - COLDWATER - ORR LAKE.

..RISK OF A TORNADO AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT THIS AFTERNOON..

THIS IS AN ALERT TO THE POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OF TORNADOES AND
SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH LARGE HAIL AND DAMAGING WINDS.

MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS..LISTEN FOR UPDATED STATEMENTS.
IF THREATENING WEATHER APPROACHES..TAKE IMMEDIATE SAFETY
PRECAUTIONS.

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TORNADO WARNING
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 1:35 PM EDT FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2005.
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TORNADO WARNING FOR:
=NEW= KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO
=NEW= GUELPH - ERIN - SOUTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY
=NEW= MOUNT FOREST - ARTHUR - NORTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY
=NEW= ORANGEVILLE - GRAND VALLEY - SOUTHERN DUFFERIN COUNTY.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING UPGRADED TO TORNADO WARNING FOR:
KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO
GUELPH - ERIN - SOUTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY
MOUNT FOREST - ARTHUR - NORTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY
ORANGEVILLE - GRAND VALLEY - SOUTHERN DUFFERIN COUNTY.

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==DISCUSSION==
RADAR IS DETECTING A SEVERE ROTATING STORM NEAR JUST EAST OF
CONESTOGO LAKE. OPP HAVE RECEIVED A REPORT OF A TORNADO WITH THIS
STORM. THIS STORM IS MOVING EASTWARD AT 70 KM/H.

THIS IS A WARNING THAT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORNADOES ARE
IMMINENT OR OCCURRING IN THESE REGIONS. MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS.
TAKE IMMEDIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

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TORNADO WARNING
UPDATED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 2:20 PM EDT FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2005.
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TORNADO WARNING FOR:
=NEW= HALTON HILLS - MILTON
=NEW= MISSISSAUGA - BRAMPTON
=NEW= CALEDON
KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO
GUELPH - ERIN - SOUTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY
ORANGEVILLE - GRAND VALLEY - SOUTHERN DUFFERIN COUNTY.

TORNADO WARNING ENDED FOR:
MOUNT FOREST - ARTHUR - NORTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING UPGRADED TO TORNADO WARNING FOR:
HALTON HILLS - MILTON
MISSISSAUGA - BRAMPTON
CALEDON.

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==DISCUSSION==
RADAR IS DETECTING A LINE OF SEVERE ROTATING STORMS FROM NORTHWEST OF
ORANGEVILLE TO NORTHEAST OF KITCHENER. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL
REPORTS OF TORNADOES AND DAMAGE WITHIN THIS LINE OF STORMS.
THESE STORMS ARE MOVING EASTWARD AT 70 KM/H.

THIS IS A WARNING THAT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORNADOES ARE
IMMINENT OR OCCURRING IN THESE REGIONS. MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS.
TAKE IMMEDIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

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TORNADO WARNING
UPDATED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 3:07 PM EDT FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2005.
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TORNADO WARNING FOR:
=NEW= CITY OF TORONTO
=NEW= VAUGHAN - RICHMOND HILL - MARKHAM
HALTON HILLS - MILTON
MISSISSAUGA - BRAMPTON
CALEDON.

TORNADO WARNING ENDED FOR:
KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO
GUELPH - ERIN - SOUTHERN WELLINGTON COUNTY
ORANGEVILLE - GRAND VALLEY - SOUTHERN DUFFERIN COUNTY.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING UPGRADED TO TORNADO WARNING FOR:
CITY OF TORONTO
VAUGHAN - RICHMOND HILL - MARKHAM.

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==DISCUSSION==
RADAR IS DETECTING A LINE OF SEVERE ROTATING STORMS NORTHWEST OF
TORONTOR. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF TORNADOES AND DAMAGE
WITHIN THIS LINE OF STORMS. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING EASTWARD AT
70 KM/H.

THIS IS A WARNING THAT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORNADOES ARE
IMMINENT OR OCCURRING IN THESE REGIONS. MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS.
TAKE IMMEDIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

TORNADO WARNING
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 3:24 PM EDT FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2005.
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TORNADO WARNING FOR:
=NEW= STRATFORD - MITCHELL - SOUTHERN PERTH COUNTY
=NEW= KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO.

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING UPGRADED TO TORNADO WARNING FOR:
STRATFORD - MITCHELL - SOUTHERN PERTH COUNTY
KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO.

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==DISCUSSION==
AT 3:15 PM EDT DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH
STRONG ROTATION MOVING EASTWARD AT 50 KM/H.

THIS IS A WARNING THAT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORNADOES ARE
IMMINENT OR OCCURRING IN THESE REGIONS. MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS.
TAKE IMMEDIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

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TORNADO WARNING
UPDATED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 3:31 PM EDT FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2005.
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TORNADO WARNING FOR:
=NEW= PICKERING - OSHAWA - SOUTHERN DURHAM REGION
CITY OF TORONTO
HALTON HILLS - MILTON
MISSISSAUGA - BRAMPTON
CALEDON
VAUGHAN - RICHMOND HILL - MARKHAM.

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==DISCUSSION==
RADAR IS DETECTING A LINE OF SEVERE ROTATING STORMS IN THE TORONTO
AREA. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REPORTS OF TORNADOES AND DAMAGE WITHIN
THIS LINE OF STORMS. THESE STORMS ARE MOVING EASTWARD AT 70 KM/H.

THIS IS A WARNING THAT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WITH TORNADOES ARE
IMMINENT OR OCCURRING IN THESE REGIONS. MONITOR WEATHER CONDITIONS.
TAKE IMMEDIATE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
ISSUED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 4:49 PM EDT FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2005.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR:
=NEW= CITY OF TORONTO
=NEW= HALTON HILLS - MILTON
=NEW= MISSISSAUGA - BRAMPTON
=NEW= CALEDON
=NEW= VAUGHAN - RICHMOND HILL - MARKHAM
=NEW= PICKERING - OSHAWA - SOUTHERN DURHAM REGION.

TORNADO WARNING DOWNGRADED TO SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR:
CITY OF TORONTO
HALTON HILLS - MILTON
MISSISSAUGA - BRAMPTON
CALEDON
VAUGHAN - RICHMOND HILL - MARKHAM
PICKERING - OSHAWA - SOUTHERN DURHAM REGION.

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==DISCUSSION==
THE LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WHICH WAS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING
TORNADOES HAS NOW MOVED OUT INTO LAKE ONTARIO.
HOWEVER..LOCALLY SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE OVER THESE
REGIONS FOR THE NEXT HOUR OR SO. LOCALLY HEAVY RAIN AND WIND GUSTS
TO 90 KM/H WILL BE THE MAIN THREAT FROM THESE STORMS.

THIS IS A WARNING THAT SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ARE IMMINENT OR OCCURRING
IN THESE REGIONS. REMEMBER SOME SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS PRODUCE
TORNADOES..LISTEN FOR UPDATED WARNINGS. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ONTARIO
RECOMMENDS TAKING COVER IMMEDIATELY WHEN THREATENING WEATHER
APPROACHES.

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TORNADO WARNING
ENDED BY ENVIRONMENT CANADA
AT 5:42 PM EDT FRIDAY 19 AUGUST 2005.
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TORNADO WARNING ENDED FOR:
STRATFORD - MITCHELL - SOUTHERN PERTH COUNTY
KITCHENER - CAMBRIDGE - REGION OF WATERLOO.

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==DISCUSSION==
TORNADOES HAVE DISSIPATED OR HAVE MOVED OUT OF THESE REGIONS.

Strangely enough, I was in Indiana that day, south of the front...

Wow, I have sisters in Guelph and Brampton neither one mentioned this outbreak to me... Looks like it was a very close call for them.

Paul

Yes, an F2 travelled just north of Guelph that day.

BTW, Guelph has been hit many times by tornadoes, the big one was an F2 in 2000.

Ah yes, the day after Stoughton. Looked liked a potentially dangerous situation at first (similar to May 31, 1985 ) and SPC had a MDT. Thankfully though the warm front didn't advance too far and it set up north-south so any storms that managed to develop hit the front and became elevated.

The only real similarity between august 05 and may 1985 events was the overall layout of the storm. I remember looking at a weather map from the 85 event and the storm was quite intense (985 or so). The 05 storm was very weak.

WaitingForSiren wrote:The only real similarity between august 05 and may 1985 events was the overall layout of the storm. I remember looking at a weather map from the 85 event and the storm was quite intense (985 or so). The 05 storm was very weak.

Well yeah, of course, 05 was in Aug, 85 was in May.

I couldda missed a 1985 scenario? OMG! I didn't know that. PRAISE THE LORD it wasn't. Or I wouldn't be able to go on. Crap. I had no idea.

conestogo_flood wrote:I couldda missed a 1985 scenario? OMG! I didn't know that. PRAISE THE LORD it wasn't. Or I wouldn't be able to go on. Crap. I had no idea.

Well it wasn't exactly like 1985 but it was definitely looking very ominous, at least initially.