Surprising tornado deficit continues across Ontario, Quebec
This year’s tornado count is significantly behind normal for late summer
Canada’s tornado count continues to lag well behind average for this point in the year—and a sizable portion of the slowdown has occurred in Ontario and Quebec.
Time is ticking down until conditions gradually become more unfavourable for tornadic activity across the country.
Despite the subdued activity we’ve seen this year, folks from B.C. to Atlantic Canada should always stay alert when strong to severe thunderstorms are in the forecast.
DON’T MISS: Tornado warning safety: Here’s what you should do
Experts have only confirmed 38 tornadoes across Canada so far in 2025. We had 91 tornadoes confirmed by this point in 2024, and 63 twisters on the books by the middle of August in 2023.
Every province except for two is lagging behind in the official tally. Saskatchewan has seen 17 twisters this year, exceeding their annual average of 14. B.C., which can go a year or two between tornadoes, has recorded one twister this year.
The slowdown is most noticeable across Ontario and Quebec, which collectively average around 28-29 tornadoes in a normal year. The Northern Tornadoes Project has only confirmed nine tornadoes between the two provinces this year—five in Ontario and four in Quebec.
None of this year’s tornadoes across Canada have received an EF-3 or higher rating, indicative of damage caused by violent winds. Four tornadoes were rated EF-2 for significant damage—two in Saskatchewan, one in Alberta, and one in northwestern Ontario.
Tornado season in Canada usually runs between June and August, though tornadoes can occur as early as April and as late as November. Conditions gradually grow more unfavourable for rotating thunderstorms as the autumn settles across the country.
Canada’s tornado deficit stands in stark contrast to activity across the border. The U.S. has seen more than 1,100 confirmed tornadoes so far in 2025, nearly meeting the country’s annual average by mid-August. Tornadoes are possible year-round in the U.S.