Saskatchewan’s 2026 tornado count has climbed to 39 after the Northern Tornadoes Project confirmed two additional tornadoes from a late-August storm system.
The newly confirmed tornadoes touched down near Wawota and Vandura on Aug. 30. Both were rated EF0 and were identified after witness reports and satellite imagery revealed paths of crop damage.
The Northern Tornadoes Project also confirmed two additional tornadoes in Manitoba and one in Alberta from the same day, bringing the number of newly confirmed Prairie tornadoes from the Aug. 30 storms to five.
A previously confirmed tornado near Maryfield, Sask., was also updated with additional information.
Wawota tornado travelled more than seven kilometres
The Wawota tornado developed at approximately 3:30 p.m. CST on Aug. 30.
Witnesses captured video and photographs of a vortex and funnel cloud west of the community, although the view of the ground was unclear.
No damage was initially reported, but a later review of satellite imagery showed a path of crop damage.
The tornado was rated EF0-default because investigators found no conventional damage indicators that could be used to estimate wind speed.
The tornado travelled approximately 7.61 kilometres, with a maximum path width of 330 metres. It moved from the south-southeast.
Short-lived tornado confirmed near Vandura
A second tornado developed near Vandura at approximately 4:10 p.m. CST.
A witness recorded a vortex and funnel cloud, but trees obscured the view of the surface.
Satellite imagery later revealed a short path of crop damage, allowing the Northern Tornadoes Project to classify the event as an EF0-default tornado.
The Vandura tornado travelled about 690 metres and reached a maximum path width of 110 metres.
It moved from the east-southeast.
Maryfield tornado track updated
The Northern Tornadoes Project also released additional information about the previously confirmed tornado southeast of Maryfield.
That tornado occurred at approximately 3:50 p.m. CST on Aug. 30.
A ground and drone survey did not initially locate damage, but satellite imagery later revealed a path of crop damage in the area.
The Maryfield tornado remains rated EF0-default, with a track estimated at 2.75 kilometres and a maximum width of 270 metres.
Saskatchewan tornadoes stretch across the province
The latest confirmations add to an already active tornado season in Saskatchewan.
Confirmed tornado locations identified by the Northern Tornadoes Project this year include Hatherleigh, Kindersley, Elrose, Cupar, Leross, Spiritwood, Klein Lake, Glaslyn, Petrofka-Waldheim, Speers, Plunkett, North Portal-Oxbow, Badgerville, Pelly, Denzil, Edam, Laporte, Carnduff, Glen Ewen, Hirsch and Disley.
Glaslyn has had two separate confirmed tornado events included in the records provided.
Maryfield, Wawota and Vandura are also among the confirmed Saskatchewan tornadoes from Aug. 30.
Several other damaging wind events have been investigated this season but are not counted as tornadoes. Rosthern, Carlyle, Arcola and Oxbow were classified as downbursts.
Five additional tornadoes across the Prairies
Outside Saskatchewan, an EF0 tornado was confirmed northwest of Strathmore, Alta., while Manitoba recorded an EF0 tornado north of Kola and an EF1 tornado at Blue Lakes.
The Blue Lakes tornado was the strongest of the five newly confirmed events, with estimated maximum winds of 145 km/h.
It caused roof damage to a store at Blue Lakes Campground and moved an air-conditioning unit and a small shed. No injuries were reported.
With the two additional Saskatchewan confirmations, the province’s tornado count for 2026 now stands at 39.
Source - https://www.discovermoosejaw.com
