Severe thunderstorms ravaged western Manitoba on Sunday, wreaking havoc on an area still reeling from previous storms. The onslaught included a tornado described as a “monster” by storm chaser Aaron Jayjack, ranking among the top three strongest tornadoes he has witnessed in Canada.
Environment and Climate Change Canada verified a tornado touchdown southwest of Rossburn, approximately 275 kilometers west of Winnipeg, around 8 p.m. Additionally, the weather agency is collaborating with the Northern Tornadoes Project to investigate reports of another tornado near Roblin at 8:55 p.m.
Jayjack had been monitoring supercells throughout the day, witnessing one transform rapidly into a violent tornado in less than an hour. The tornado formed just south of Birtle, southwest of Rossburn, and swiftly intensified into a significant twister. Fortunately, it narrowly missed some homes but directly struck a farmhouse.
The storm chaser immediately checked on the occupants of the damaged farmhouse, who had already called for help. The tornado caused extensive destruction, including a demolished barn, uprooted trees, and overturned vehicles on the property.
Local authorities, including Rossburn Fire Department Chief Kelly Slon and municipal officials, assessed the damage, expressing shock at the scale of destruction. The community is rallying to support those affected, with plans to provide assistance and potentially declare a local state of emergency.
The tornado, estimated to have been on the ground for approximately 20 minutes, left a path of devastation, prompting the Northern Tornadoes Project to dispatch a team for further investigation. Meanwhile, Environment Canada is monitoring the situation and preparing to release more detailed information as the assessment progresses.
The severe storm also brought hail and strong winds to the region, with more unstable weather forecasted for the coming days. As recovery efforts begin, the community remains on high alert for further severe weather events.