A tornadic storm that hit Saskatoon is one of Sask.'s worst weather events

Randi Mann
·2 min read
A tornadic storm that hit Saskatoon is one of Sask.'s worst weather events

This Day In Weather History is a daily podcast by Chris Mei from The Weather Network, featuring stories about people, communities and events and how weather impacted them.

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On Thursday, July 4, 1996, aggressive thunderstorms hit Saskatoon, Sask. The storms produced several tornadoes. These Saskatoon thunderstorms are considered one of Saskatchewan's worst weather events.

At 4:50 p.m., thunderstorms started to develop just south-southwest of North Battleford. The storm cluster moved east and formed a supercell. The storm organized into a “hook echo” formation, which is a supercell that appears as hook-shaped on weather radar.

Courtesy CTV Saskatoon - lightning
Courtesy CTV Saskatoon - lightning

Courtesy of CTV Saskatoon

At 5:45 p.m., the storm produced an F2 tornado. which is referred to as the “Maymont, Sask. F2 tornado." The tornado travelled for 13.6 km with a maximum width of 100 metres.

At 6:04 p.m., a hook formation produced an F3 tornado in Fielding, Sask., near the Yellowhead Highway.

*Courtesy of CTV Saskatoon - tornado
*Courtesy of CTV Saskatoon - tornado

Courtesy of CTV Saskatoon

At 7:00 p.m., the hook was still active just north of Saskatoon. The storm produced around 11 tornadoes. Three of those tornadoes had a track longer than 10 km.

Overall, “severe thunderstorms on July 4 spawned at least eight tornadoes in Saskatchewan. Winds of 140 km/h and hail the size of golf balls produced $15 million in property damage,” reported by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

A Regina tornado on June 30, 1912, is considered Saskatchewan's worst weather event. The tornado is the deadliest twister in Canadian history. A total of 28 people died and hundreds were injured. It flattened homes and businesses, leaving 2,500 homeless.

The Regina tornado was featured on postcards and memorabilia in 1912.

sab gm r-a26933 wb
sab gm r-a26933 wb

"View of Lorne Street, following the cyclone; two dogs can be seen on the road, as well as two unidentified women walking. (Postcard.)" Courtesy of Provincial Archives of Saskatchewan

To learn more about the July 4 Saskatoon tornado, listen to today's episode of "This Day In Weather History."

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Thumbnail: Courtesy of CTV Saskatoon