Saskatchewan records just one tornado in 2023

Only one tornado touched down in Saskatchewan this summer.

It’s an unprecedented number, as Saskatchewan usually sees one of the highest numbers of tornadoes among all provinces.

Saskatchewan’s only confirmed tornado touched down southeast of Regina near Rowatt on May 27. That twister – which destroyed a barn – was registered as an EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, the scale’s lowest category.

Tornado damage at a family farm south of Regina. (Gillian Massie/980 CJME)

David Phillips, senior climatologist for Environment Canada, said he can’t recall seeing Saskatchewan this quiet during a tornado season.

“I think it was the fewest number of tornadoes ever accounted in Saskatchewan, looking at records going back 30 to 40 years,” Phillips stated.

“Last year, you had 25 of those twisters (and) one this year. Come on!”

Phillips noted that it was odd to see Alberta record 17 tornadoes and Manitoba record nine, while only one touched down in Saskatchewan. He noted that the even city of Ottawa had more tornadoes touch down in 2023 than the entire province of Saskatchewan.

“This year, (Saskatchewan) was absolutely missing in action,” he said.

Phillips said a lack of moisture and humidity are part of the reason why there were so few tornadoes, while active, rapidly changing weather just wasn’t happening as often as usual this year.

“The real active kind of tornado months are July and August, and both of those months had so few lightning strikes,” Phillips explained.

“May was above normal and June was above normal, but yet July and August were low.”

The climatologist said there could have been more than one tornado that touched down in the province this year, but they might not have been recorded or reported.

While it was a smoky summer in Saskatchewan due to major wildfires burning in the province and beyond, Phillips said he doesn’t think the low air quality affected the tornado season, though he didn’t rule it out entirely.

“Because of the presence of smoke, that would sometimes prevent the temperatures from getting up to high levels,” Phillips said.

“But how do you explain the fact Alberta had 17 (tornadoes), and they had more smoke than Saskatchewan? I think it’s a possible reason, but I don’t think it’s the only reason. The weather just wasn’t that active.”

Phillips said he doesn’t expect to see another year with just one tornado confirmed in Saskatchewan.

“I would bet my pension on the fact that next year you’ll have more than one tornado,” Phillips laughed.