The Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) has confirmed that two tornadoes touched down near Yorkton, Saskatchewan on Sunday, June 28. The tornadoes occurred in the Parkland region, with the first touching down around 5:30 PM local time and the second approximately 30 minutes later about 10 kilometers northeast of the first. According to NTP officials, both tornadoes were classified as EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with maximum wind speeds of up to 110 km/h. No injuries were reported, but the storms caused damage to several farm buildings and downed power lines in the area.
Details of the Tornadoes
The Northern Tornadoes Project, based at Western University, deployed a survey team to the region on July 1 to assess the damage and confirm the tornadoes. The team identified two distinct damage paths, each approximately 2 kilometers long and 100 meters wide. The first tornado touched down near the community of Ebenezer, about 15 kilometers southwest of Yorkton, and the second near the town of Springside, roughly 20 kilometers northeast of Yorkton. Both tornadoes were associated with a severe thunderstorm that moved through the area late Sunday afternoon.
Environment Canada had issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the region earlier that day, predicting the potential for tornadoes. The storms produced heavy rain, large hail, and strong winds, with some areas reporting hail the size of golf balls. Local residents described the sky turning dark and green before the tornadoes struck, with one witness stating, "It was like something out of a movie – the wind just picked up out of nowhere and everything started flying."
Impact and Response
The tornadoes caused significant damage to several farm properties, including overturned grain bins, damaged roofs, and uprooted trees. Saskatchewan Power Corporation reported that approximately 500 customers lost power in the aftermath, with crews working through the night to restore electricity. The Rural Municipality of Orkney declared a local state of emergency to facilitate cleanup efforts, but no evacuations were ordered. The Yorkton Regional Health Centre reported no storm-related injuries.
According to the NTP, Saskatchewan averages about 10 tornadoes per year, though most are weak and cause minimal damage. This event is the first confirmed tornado in the province in 2026, following a relatively quiet spring. The project noted that climate change may be increasing the frequency of severe weather events, but it is too early to attribute this specific event to long-term trends.
Broader Context
The tornadoes near Yorkton were part of a larger severe weather outbreak across the Prairies that weekend. Environment Canada reported multiple funnel cloud sightings and a separate tornado touchdown near Regina on June 27, which was also confirmed by the NTP. The storms were fueled by a low-pressure system drawing warm, moist air from the United States, creating unstable atmospheric conditions.
Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay alert for future severe weather warnings and to have emergency plans in place. The NTP continues to monitor storm activity across Canada and encourages the public to report any damage or sightings to help improve tornado detection and warning systems.
