Two tornadoes touched down in the Kingston, Ont. area last week, with one reaching wind speeds of up to 150 km/h and damaging properties, according to researchers. Both tornadoes occurred within about 15 minutes of one another during a powerful storm that swept through southeastern Ontario on Tuesday. Western University’s Northern Tornadoes Project confirmed the findings after completing a ground and drone survey along with satellite analysis on Friday. “The tornadoes formed under a mesovortex along the leading edge of a bow-echo thunderstorm that moved southeast from the Verona area to Kingston,” the researchers said. The first and stronger tornado began at 12:35 p.m. in the areas of Verona, Hartington and Harrowsmith, approximately 35 kilometres north of downtown Kingston. The tornado was determined to have reached EF1 strength on the Enhanced Fujita scale with an estimated maximum wind speed of 150 km/h. EF1 is the second-lowest severity rating on the scale, covering wind speeds ranging from 135 to 175 km/h. The scale classifies tornado intensity based on estimated wind speeds and related property damage, ranging from EF0 to EF5. The tornado moved towards the southeast with a track length of just over 18 kilometres and a maximum path width of 510 metres. Some damage to farm properties and trees was reported but there were no injuries. Second weaker tornado in Kingston A weaker tornado began at approximately 12:50 p.m. in Kingston’s northeast end. Researchers documented a long path of tree damage from Silver Corners going southeastwards toward CFB Kingston. Researchers estimate the tornado reached a maximum wind speed of 115 km/h, going a distance of just under 11 kilometres and a maximum path width of 250 metres. The tornado was classified as EF0 strength. Tree damage was documented but no injuries were reported. Environment Canada issued a tornado warning for Kingston during the period when the pair of tornadoes struck while a line of severe thunderstorms moved through the area. Several tornado warnings were issued in various parts of eastern Ontario last week, though it’s unclear if any others touched down. The Ottawa area received a record-breaking 118 mm of rain after a major storm on July 1, cancelling Canada Day celebrations and flooding thousands of homes.
