Tornadoes
A pale green sky is an indicator that a tornado may occur.
It’s rare, but the Sudbury area has been hit by tornadoes in the past. Learn what precautions you and your family should take.
What is a tornado?
A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud. Tornadoes come in many shapes and sizes, but they are typically in the form of a visible funnel, whose narrow end touches the earth and is often encircled by a cloud of debris and dust.
Most tornadoes have wind speeds less than 177 km/h, are about 76 m across, and travel several kilometres before dissipating. The most extreme tornadoes can attain wind speeds of about 500 km/h, stretch more than 3 km across, and stay on the ground for 50 km.
Has a tornado ever hit the Sudbury area?
Although rare, tornadoes have formed in the Sudbury area. The tornado that struck Sudbury at approximately 8:30 a.m. on August 20, 1970 killed 6 people and injured 200 others.
What are the signs that a tornado is coming?
- A pale green sky is an indicator that a tornado may occur. Greenish clouds are extremely tall and are often home to thunderstorms, clouds, hail, or a tornado.
- Large hail, dark, low-lying clouds, and a loud roar, similar to a freight train.
Is there a tornado warning system in place?
Environment Canada has public weather alerts for Ontario on their website. The Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services also has a notification system which you can join. Watches and warning are also sent through radio and television. A tornado watch means that tornadoes are forecast in your area. Listen to the radio or television for updates. A tornado warning means that a tornado is on the ground or has been detected. Seek shelter immediately.
How can you stay safe during a tornado?
If you are indoors:
- Take cover in the interior of the building. Some safe places in a building during a tornado include a windowless internal room with a solid door, preferably on the lowest level of the house or building. Avoid rooms with windows and doors or rooms that are along exterior walls.
- Stay away from windows, corners, doors and outside walls.
- Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
- If possible, get under a sturdy table and use your arms to protect your head and neck.
- If you have been evacuated from your home or office, do not return until it is deemed safe to do so by local officials.
If you are outdoors:
- Find a field or ditch away from items that can fly through the air and lie down as flat as you can.
- Do not stay in a car or try to drive away from a tornado. Cars can be flung about by high winds or crushed by debris.
What are microbursts?
A microburst is a localized column of sinking air caused by a small and intense downdraft within a thunderstorm. The air does not spin like it does in a tornado, but rushes down from a central area then spreads out in all directions at the same time when it reaches the ground. This rush of air can be very intense and damaging, with wind speeds that have reached higher than 270 km/h (170 mph).
Microbursts usually last from a couple of seconds to several minutes. The Sudbury area has been hit with several microbursts over the last few years. If there is a risk of a microburst, the same precautions apply as in a tornado.
For more information
To learn more about what to do in a tornado, contact us at 705.522.9200 or call toll-free at 1.866.522.9200.
This item was last modified on June 12, 2015