2007 Southern Manitoba tornado outbreak

2007 Southern Manitoba tornado outbreak
Clockwise from top: A funnel cloud extending from a mesocyclone, which would eventually become the Elie tornado; a path map, depicting the sporadic trajectory of the Elie tornado; the Elie, Manitoba (right) and Oakville, Manitoba (left) tornadoes on June 22, seen from the same vantage point; radar imagery of the Oakville, Manitoba tornado as it began to form.
Meteorological history
DurationJune 22-23, 2007
Tornado outbreak
Tornadoes7
Max. rating
F5 tornado
Duration2 days
Highest windsTornadic – 261 mph (420 km/h)
(Elie, Manitoba F5 on June 22)
Largest hail2.75 inches (7.0 cm) in Morden, Manitoba on June 22)
Overall effects
CasualtiesNone
Damage$41.1 million (2007 CAD)
Areas affectedSouthern Manitoba, Canada
Part of the Tornadoes of 2007

During June 22-23, 2007, a localized but potent tornado outbreak affected the Canadian province of Manitoba, particularly the southern part of the province. Despite the small scale of this outbreak, it featured various significant (F2+) tornadoes, including the Elie, Manitoba F5 tornado on June 22, for which the outbreak is most well-known. In addition to the Elie tornado, the system produced three F3 tornadoes: the Oakville, Manitoba tornado (June 22), the Pipestone, Manitoba tornado (June 23), and the Minto-Baldur, Manitoba tornado (June 23; spawned from the same parent supercell as the Pipestone tornado).[1]

The environmental setup that accompanied this outbreak was unseasonably intense, especially for the province of Manitoba, which has only seen one violent (F4/EF4+) tornado since the Elie tornado.[1] No casualties (injuries of fatalities) were reported during this outbreak sequence. However, damage costs from the Elie tornado alone amounted to $39,000,000 (2007 CAD). The other significant tornadoes from this outbreak did cause structural damage, but the costs of this damage were not recorded.[1]

Many scientific curiosities came with this tornado outbreak. Most notable was the F5-level damage that the Elie tornado caused, as the tornado was rated F5 through videographic evidence of a well-anchored home failing and being lofted 75 ft (23 m) into the air by the tornado, before being thrown around the funnel and disintegrated midair. At the time of this damage, the Elie tornado was roping out and was a mere 45 yd (41 m) wide. It has been suspected that conservation of angular momentum, as well as the vortex breakdown that the tornado was undergoing, may have caused it to strengthen dramatically.[2]

Meteorological Synopsis

Prior to the event, 1200 UTC 500-mb mesoscale analysis revealed the presence of a building upper ridge over the southern Prairies region of Canada, specifically in the southern Alberta and Saskatchewan regions, with a minor shortwave trough accompanying this ridge over Alberta. A thermal ridge was also noted in the southern Saskatchewan area, preventing storm formation and increasing heating in the upper atmosphere. Winds contained within a jet max at 800 hPa reached 10-15 m s⁻¹ (22-34 mph) as they rounded the western half of a high pressure ridge situated over the High Plains. This intense jet stream continually advected moisture from the Gulf of Mexico, allowing any developing storms to have access to large amounts of inflow. The directional and magnitudinal change of wind with height, known as wind shear, was also observed during this time, further contributing to an environment favorable for storm development.[3]

The associated reflectivity and velocity presentations of the Elie tornado (Storm B) and Oakville tornado (Storm C) at 0000 UTC June 23.

At the surface, multiple disconnected lows were present, with one surface low over southern Saskatchewan featuring a warm front that extended to the east, into the Interlake region of the province of Manitoba. Due to this low, warm temperatures and high dew point values were advected into the region, increasing instability in the atmosphere. By 1800 UTC, this surface low had moved east and positioned itself directly over Dauphin Lake, with surrounding temperatures reaching 26-28°C (79-82°F), and dew points skyrocketing to 18-20°C (64-68°F). At this time, a significant elevated mixed layer (EML) remained over the area, preventing convection and storm activity but allowing for instability to continue to rise. By 2100 UTC, the area of low pressure had finally migrated to the southern basin of Lake Manitoba, and remained quasi-stationary for hours, with the Elie tornado initiating off of a dry line ahead of a cold front that extended from the low. It is noted that a cold pool and gravity waves may have affected the development of the Elie tornado, as well as other tornadoes in the surrounding area.[3]

Confirmed tornadoes

Confirmed tornadoes by Fujita rating
FU F0 F1 F2 F3 F4 F5 Total
0 0 3 0 3 0 1 7[a]

June 22 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Friday, June 22, 2007[b]
F# Location District / Municipality Province / Territory Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width
F5 Elie area Central Plains MB 49°54′N 97°46′W / 49.90°N 97.76°W / 49.90; -97.76 (Elie (June 22, F5)) 23:25–00:00 6 km (3.7 mi) 137 m (150 yd)
See article on this tornado[4]
F3 Oakville area Central Plains MB 49°48′N 97°56′W / 49.80°N 97.93°W / 49.80; -97.93 (Oakville (June 22, F3)) 23:55–? 10 km (6.2 mi) 200 m (220 yd)
See section on this tornado[5]
EF1[c] S of Upham McHenry ND 48°29′36″N 100°43′12″W / 48.4933°N 100.72°W / 48.4933; -100.72 (Upham (June 22, EF1)) 00:30–00:45 0.5 mi (0.80 km) 250 yd (230 m)
This tornado struck a farmstead, unroofing a chicken coop, shifting a barn off its foundation, and damaged several trees.[6]

June 23 event

List of confirmed tornadoes – Saturday, June 23, 2007[b]
F# Location District / Municipality Province / Territory Start Coord. Time (UTC) Path length Max width
F1 Near Oak Lake Reserve Pipestone MB 49°38′N 101°01′W / 49.63°N 101.02°W / 49.63; -101.02 (Oak Lake Reserve (June 23, F1)) 00:40–? 20 km (12 mi) 300 m (330 yd)
The first tornado of the Pipestone supercell, the Oak Lake Reserve tornado touched down at approximately 00:40 UTC June 24 (7:40 p.m. CDT June 23), producing F1 damage along a 20 km (12 mi) path. The Oak Lake Reserve tornado had a maximum documented width of 300 m (330 yd). Videos of this tornado and its associated storm exist online.[7]
F3 NW of Pipestone Pipestone MB 49°28′48″N 100°49′48″W / 49.480°N 100.830°W / 49.480; -100.830 (Pipestone (June 23, F3)) 01:15–? 60 km (37 mi) 1,800 m (2,000 yd)
This large wedge tornado formed near Pipestone, Manitoba at 01:15 UTC June 24 (8:15 p.m. CDT June 23), reportedly destroying two homes and damaging several tree lines along a 60 km (37 mi) path. This tornado was captured on video, with storm chasers documenting the highly visible multi-vortex structure of the tornado.[8]
F3 S of Minto to S of Baldur Argyle MB 49°21′43″N 100°04′05″W / 49.362°N 100.068°W / 49.362; -100.068 (Baldur (June 23, F3)) 02:10–? 55 km (34 mi) 800 m (870 yd)
The storm system responsible for the Pipestone tornado cycled and produced this intense F3 tornado, which impacted areas south of Minto and Baldur in Manitoba. Though no significant property damage was found, extreme treefall damage, as well as damage to vegetation in general, was observed. Lines of trees were sheared and debarked throughout the tornado's 55 km (34 mi) path. Because the supercell that produced the Baldur tornado had become increasingly rainwrapped, no official photos of the tornado's funnel exist.[9]
F1 Near Seven Sisters Falls Whitemouth MB 50°07′N 96°01′W / 50.12°N 96.02°W / 50.12; -96.02 (Seven Sisters Falls (June 23, F1)) 04:00 Unknown Unknown
This tornado touched down north of Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba at 04:00 UTC June 24 (11:00 p.m. CDT June 23). No information is known about this tornado, beyond the fact that it caused F1-level damage and did not result in any deaths or injuries. The path length, width, and duration of this tornado are unknown.[7]

Elie, Manitoba

Elie, Manitoba
The tornado approaching the town of Elie, Manitoba, around 6:50 p.m. CDT.
Meteorological history
FormedJune 22, 2007, 6:25 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00)
DissipatedJune 22, 2007, 7:00 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00)
Duration35 minutes
F5 tornado
on the Fujita scale
Max width137 metres (150 yd)
Path length6.0 km (3.7 mi)
Highest winds>261 mph (420 km/h)
Overall effects
CasualtiesNone
Damage$39 million (2007 CAD)
Areas affectedElie, Manitoba, Canada
Part of the Tornadoes of 2007

This narrow and erratic tornado tracked primarily southeast, as opposed to the usual northeasterly motion of tornadoes, and it made multiple loops and sharp turns as it approached Elie, Manitoba.[10][11] While several houses were leveled, no injuries or deaths were recorded.[7][12] A well-built, anchored home in Elie, equipped with 2x6 sill plates, J-bolts, and larger-than-typical washers, was completely removed from its foundation, with the entire house being lofted 75 ft (23 m) by the tornado and disintegrated midair.[4] The Elie tornado was initially rated F4 due to concerns with its slow and erratic motion allowing the tornado to "relentlessly pound" the homes that it struck.[4] However, based on a surveyor-led reanalysis, the tornado was upgraded to an F5 rating. A video that had resurfaced online, showing the Elie tornado causing a swift failure to a bolted home and lofting it into the air, prompted the upgrade, as surveyors were able to confirm that the failure of the home was instantaneous.[4]

The Elie tornado is the only tornado in Canadian history to have officially received an F5 rating.[13] It is also the most recent F5 tornado worldwide, as several countries gradually adopted the Enhanced Fujita scale after its introduction in the United States in 2007; Canada adopted the enhanced scale in 2013.[14]

The tornado initially touched down north of the Trans-Canada Highway at 6:25 p.m. CDT (23:25 UTC)[15] and slowly tracked southeast, displacing and overturning a semi-trailer and a tractor trailer along the Trans-Canada Highway. Making multiple erratic turns, the tornado crossed the highway, made another turn south, and directly struck the town's flour mill, causing over $1 million in damage. Initially, the tornado did not cause significant damage to the flour mill, but it made an extremely slow loop and struck the flour mill again, this time at F2 intensity. By the time the tornado exited the flour mill, it had grown to a width of 50 m (55 yd). It then headed south, paralleling Janzen Road at F0 intensity. It also continued to grow in width, reaching its peak width of about 140 m (153 yd).[4]

F5-level damage caused by the Elie tornado. Note the bolted sill plates remaining on the foundation. This indicates that the home transferred the wind load from the tornado to the foundation.

After reaching the intersection of Janzen Road and Road 61 North, the tornado turned east, and began to move directly towards the southwest edge of Elie. It quickly intensified to F4 strength as it made a loop over Elie Street, severely damaging multiple homes in the process. One of these homes, which was described as well-built and bolted to its foundation, was completely removed from its foundation and lofted into the air by the tornado, where it then collapsed into pieces as it was thrown around the tornado's funnel.[4] The tornado also sheared some sill plates from this home and snapped off the bolts that supported these sill plates.[4] Trees were debarked as well, and various vehicles were thrown. Two other houses sustained F4 level damage, with both of them being almost completely swept from their foundations, and another house to the west also sustained F2-F3 level damage.[4][16] The tornado lingered over Elie Street for approximately four minutes, before exiting Elie and dissipating shortly afterwards.

The tornado traveled about 6 km (3.7 mi) in total and was 150 yards (140 m) wide at its widest during its 35-minute lifespan. No injuries or fatalities were recorded. At least $39 million (2007 CAD) in damage costs was incurred.[7]

Oakville, Manitoba

Oakville, Manitoba
The Oakville tornado, as it appeared south of Oakville, Manitoba.
Meteorological history
FormedJune 22, 2007, 6:55 p.m. CDT (UTC−05:00)
DissipatedUnknown
DurationUnknown
F3 tornado
on the Fujita scale
Max width200 metres (219 yd)
Path length10.0 km (6.2 mi)
Highest winds158 to 206 mph (254 to 332 km/h)
Overall effects
CasualtiesNone
Areas affectedOakville, Manitoba and Fannystelle, Manitoba, Canada
Part of the Tornadoes of 2007
Significant damage to a line of shelterbelt trees following the Oakville tornado.

At approximately 6:55 p.m. CDT (23:55 UTC), as the Elie tornado was ongoing, a separate storm system produced a slender but intense tornado around 12 miles (19 km) to the west of Elie, south of the farming community of Oakville, Manitoba. This tornado took a winding path towards the southeast, exhibiting erratic, looping movements — similar to the Elie tornado. Throughout its short path, no injuries or deaths were reported, but the tornado caused sizable damage to vegetation, namely to trees and crops. Severe instances of structural damage were also noted, such as the collapse of a frame home near Oakville, an old farm house being "obliterated to its foundation", the destruction of multiple outbuildings (including a Quonset), and the destruction of grain bins and farm machinery at multiple farm sites.[17]

Because the view to the Elie and Oakville tornadoes was unobstructed, multiple witnesses — specifically those along the Trans-Canada Highway — were able to see both tornadoes on the ground simultaneously, making for a rare event. Many photographs exist that show both the Elie and Oakville tornadoes from the same vantage point.[18]

The Oakville tornado made contact with the ground at 6:55 p.m. CDT (2355 UTC), approximately 15.4 km (9.6 mi) south of the community of Oakville. From then, it proceeded to impact a series of farmsteads in rural areas south of the Trans-Canada Highway, causing considerable damage in the process. Several outbuildings were clipped or otherwise destroyed along the tornado's 10 km (6.2 mi) path, grain storage bins were reportedly crushed and thrown, and multiple farmsteads and frame homes suffered complete collapse. Per the Northern Tornadoes Project (2024), EC-PNR records indicated that the F3 rating of the Oakville tornado was based on the complete destruction and sweeping of an old farmhouse, with shearing and debarking of hardwood trees noted at the site. Sources also indicate that a quonset hut — a very common sight in rural southern Manitoba, mainly used for agricultural purposes — was destroyed, and heavy farm machinery was tossed and damaged. Witness photographs of the damage from the tornado also confirm that multiple wooden power lines were downed, a frame house collapsed in on itself with few interior walls remaining upright, and rows of shelterbelt trees were shredded, debarked, and occasionally sheared to ground level. Aerial imagery from after the tornado also shows the possible disappearance of vegetation around the affected areas.[17]

It is suspected that the tornado dissipated shortly afterwards, at around 0010 UTC June 23 (7:10 p.m. CDT June 22) per radar imagery, though a specific dissipation time is not available.[3] The tornado reached a maximum documented width of 200 meters (0.12 mi) and carved an erratic, winding path 10 km (6.2 mi) long through areas near Oakville and Fannystelle, Manitoba.[7] The tornado caused no casualties due to its rural impact, but did cause significant structural and contextual damage. Based on the previously mentioned destruction of an old farmhouse, the tornado reached estimated winds up to 158-206 mph (254-332 km/h).[17]

June 23 tornadoes

June 23 Southern Manitoba tornadoes
Clockwise from top: The Pipestone supercell, prior to producing the Pipestone, Manitoba tornado, with a mesocyclone evident; the storm system that produced the Baldur tornado, as the tornado was in progress; a frame from a storm chasing video, showing the multi-vortex structure of the Pipestone tornado.
Meteorological history
FormedJune 23, 2007, 7:40 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00)
DissipatedJune 23, 2007, 11:00 p.m. CDT (UTC–05:00)
Duration3 hours, 20 minutes (Minimum)
Tornado family
Tornadoes4
Max. rating
F3 tornado
Highest winds158–206 mph (254–332 km/h)
(Pipestone, Manitoba & Minto-Baldur, Manitoba F3 on June 23)
Overall effects
CasualtiesNone
DamageUnknown
Areas affectedSouthern Manitoba, Canada, specifically Oak Lake Reserve, Pipestone, and Baldur, Manitoba
Part of the Tornadoes of 2007
Significant damage from the Baldur tornado.

In the evening hours of June 23, during the second day of the tornado outbreak sequence, various cyclic supercells tracked upwards of 83 km (52 mi) throughout Southern Manitoba. The system that produced these supercells resulted in a total of four tornadoes over at least 3 hours: the Oak Lake Reserve, Manitoba F1 tornado (0040 UTC), the Pipestone, Manitoba F3 tornado (0115 UTC), the Minto-Baldur, Manitoba F3 tornado (0210 UTC), and the Seven Sisters Falls, Manitoba F1 tornado (0400 UTC).[7] None of the tornadoes from this system resulted in any confirmed injuries or deaths (though it is possible that the Pipestone and Baldur tornadoes resulted in injuries), but significant property and crop damage were reported.[7] The tornadoes from this system formed in a highly volatile environment, with some atmospheric soundings indicating MLCAPE values of >3000 J/kg, 0-3 km SRH (storm-relative helicity) values of >500 m²/s², and ample shear and LR (lapse rate) values.[19]

Beginning at approximately 7:40 p.m. CDT, the Oak Lake Reserve, Manitoba tornado, moved in a southeasterly direction. The tornado passed just north of Pipestone, and eventually dissipated east of town. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) records indicate that the Oak Lake Reserve tornado had a maximum width of 300 m (330 yd) and had a path length of 20 km (12 mi). The tornado was given a F1 rating, and it caused no injuries or deaths, mainly due to its rural location.[7] Footage of the Oak Lake Reserve tornado exists online.

A supercell in the region then produced an F3-rated tornado, known as the Pipestone, Manitoba tornado. This large "wedge" tornado, with a maximum estimated width of 1,800 m (2,000 yd; 1.1 mi), tracked approximately 60 km (37 mi) throughout Southern Manitoba, tracking from south-southeast of Pipestone to south of Minto.[7][20] Several farmsteads were severely damaged or even destroyed, resulting in an F3 rating.[21] Aerial imagery after the tornado also suggests that various tree lines, inducing shelter belt lines, were obliterated by the tornado. Apparently, the Pipestone tornado reached it maximum width west of Hartney. At multiple points, the tornado exhibited a multi-vortex structure, which was made visible by the fact that the tornado's funnel was not fully condensed for much of its life.[22]

The atmospheric conditions prior to the formation of the Pipestone tornado. Note extremely high CAPE, SRH, shear, and LR values, as well as the classic "sickle" shape of the hodograph, indicating rotation in the atmosphere.

The third tornado from this system, the Minto-Baldur, Manitoba tornado, formed at approximately 9:10 p.m. CDT. Similarly to the Pipestone tornado, the Baldur tornado was a large, long-tracked, and destructive "wedge" tornado that tracked southeast, having a maximum width of 800 m (870 yd; 0.50 mi) and a path length of 55 km (34 mi) per ECCC data.[7] Several farmsteads were damaged or completely destroyed, and large swaths of trees were felled and even debarked. Reportedly, the tornado lofted multiple homes from their foundations completely and obliterated them. One such home was moved 150 yd (140 m) and was "demolished" after landing on its roof.[23] Though the ECCC does not officially recognize any injuries from the tornado,[7] sources report that three men were recovering from injuries after the tornado struck a trailer park north of Killarney.[23] As the supercell had assumed a high-precipitation (HP) mode by the time the Baldur tornado had formed, no photos of the tornado are known to exist.[24]

Impact and Aftermath

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ According to https://web.archive.org/web/20160307165245/http://recordmeteo.com/tornado-canada/tornado-saskatchewan-2007-6-23-en-297.html, an F1 tornado was recorded near the hamlets of Lampman and Steelman, Saskatchewan. However, the official Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) database does not recognize this tornado, and no verifiable sources mention the tornado. No media exists of the tornado or its damage. Because the fact that this tornado even happened cannot be confirmed, it has not been included. The same recordmeteo website also mentions an F0 tornado near Carnduff, Saskatchewan, which has no verifiable source.
  2. 1 2 All dates are based on the local time zone where the tornado touched down; however, all times are in Coordinated Universal Time for consistency.
  3. ↑ The United States had begun using the Enhanced Fujita scale on February 1st, 2007. This tornado is tallied in the closest F-Scale equivalent on this table, which is F1.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Canadian National Tornado Database: Verified Events (1980-2009) - Public GIS EN". Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  2. ↑ McCarthy, Patrick J.; Carlsen, D.; Slipec, J. (October 29, 2008). "Elie, Manitoba, Canada, June 22, 2007: Canada's first F5 tornado". Conference on Severe Local Storms.
  3. 1 2 3 Hobson, Justin J. (2011). "Meteorological Analysis of the 22 June 2007 F5 Tornado in Elie, Manitoba". University of Manitoba. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 McCarthy, Patrick J.; Carlsen, D.; Slipec, J. "Elie, Manitoba, Canada, June 22, 2007: Canada's First F5 Tornado" (PDF). Environment Canada. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Oakville, MB F3 Tornado of June 22, 2007". Highways & Hailstones. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  6. ↑ National Weather Service in Bismarck, North Dakota (2007). North Dakota Event Report: EF1 Tornado (Report). National Centers for Environmental Information. Retrieved August 23, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Canadian National Tornado Database: Verified Events (1980-2009) - Public GIS EN". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  8. ↑ "HIGH DEFINITION HUGE MANITOBA TORNADO! June 23, 2007 -". YouTube.
  9. ↑ "Canada Tornado Database: Tornado F3, Manitoba 2007-6-22". Record Meteo. 2013. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  10. ↑ "P9.10 Elie, Manitoba, Canada, June 22, 2007: Canada's first F5 tornado (2008 - 24SLS_24sls)". ams.confex.com. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  11. ↑ Assessing tornado damage: EF-scale vs. F-scale Archived April 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ↑ "Canada's Top Ten Weather Stories for 2007". Environment Canada Archived. Environment Canada. December 30, 2009. Archived from the original on March 12, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  13. ↑ Mersereau, Dennis (June 22, 2026). "Canada's only F5 tornado hit this Manitoba town in 2007". The Weather Network. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Enhanced Fujita scale for wind damage". Government of Canada. September 19, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  15. ↑ Government of Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada (December 30, 2009). "Environment and Climate Change Canada - Weather and Meteorology - Canada's Top Ten Weather Stories for 2007 - Canada's First F5 Tornado". ec.gc.ca. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  16. ↑ "Tornado cleanup begins in southern Manitoba". The Globe and Mail. June 23, 2007. Archived from the original on January 20, 2025. Retrieved March 31, 2022.
  17. 1 2 3 "ArcGIS Dashboards". Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  18. ↑ "The Elie and Oakville tornado pictures from June 22, 2007". University of Manitoba. Retrieved July 19, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Pipestone, MB". Storm Chase Archive. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Tornado Archive Data Explorer". Tornado Archive. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Pipestone, MB F3 Tornado of June 23, 2007". Highways & Hailstones. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  22. ↑ Penner, Dean (June 23, 2021). "Remembering The 2007 Elie Tornado". Pembina Valley Online. Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  23. 1 2 "Cleanup underway in tornado-ravaged Manitoba". CBC News. June 25, 2007. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Baldur, MB F3 Tornado of June 23, 2007". Highways & Hailstones. Retrieved August 15, 2026.
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