Big
storms aren’t confined to America’s Tornado
Alley.
A
little over two years ago, we wrote an article on weather
radios (Vol. 32 No. 1). In this article we described
tornadoes, wind storms and thunder storms, and outlined
why we feel it’s important to always carry a weather
radio when you travel, especially if you’re visiting
regions with which you’re unfamilliar. We recommend
an electric radio with a battery backup, kept by your
bed at night.
To this day we continue to receive emails, phone calls
and letters asking where people can buy these devices.
We have always suggested Radio Shack, but apparently
not all Radio Shack locations carry them. In this age
of MP3s, it seems to be getting harder to find such
items.
As a result we have begun carrying weather radios through
our Wagon Trains Chuck Wagon Store. We displayed the
Midland 74-109 Weather Radio Alert at several RV shows
this past winter, and were surprised at how many people
bought one and told us how they had read about it in
our column. We were happy we could help, but we were
surprised by several people who felt they did not need
a weather radio, as we do not get “that type of
crazy weather” here in Canada.
Our personal experience said otherwise, but nonetheless
we decided to check around on Environment Canada’s
superb website, which is found at http://weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/
canada_e.html.
Watching For Storms
The website confirmed what decades of RV travel suggested
– that Canada does experience some pretty wild
weather from time to time, including thunderstorms,
hail and tornadoes.
Thunderstorms can form very quickly when atmospheric
conditions are right. With sufficient instability and
moisture, a storm can develop in as little as 10 minutes
and drop golf ball-sized hail.
Thunderstorms require moisture for fuel and heat for
energy. Hot muggy days and warm, uncomfortable nights
are just right. Thunderstorms can occur at any time
of the day or night, so when conditions are favorable,
it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the sky and
check weather forecasts.
Because most weather systems in Canada tend to move
west-to-east, severe weather in the province to your
west might indicate a system is coming your way. As
the storm approaches, you might experience bursts of
static on an AM radio, which suggests lighting is nearby.
Watch for thunderheads – huge dark clouds that
stand straight up, with well-defined cauliflower-like
edges on their sides. Some may have an overshooting
top – a cauliflower-like bubble of cloud that
penetrates the flat top of the storm. These can only
be seen from a distance, but if you see them at all,
it might be a good idea to round up loose items around
the campsite and secure the awning. (Page
Top)
Severe Weather
Major systems can produce what meteorologists refer
to as supercells – the really big systems that
can spawn hail or tornadoes. Hail can inflict a lot
of damage on an RV, especially if it reaches any size.
Golf ball-sized hail stones are not that unusual, and
occasionally, these chunks of ice can be the size of
baseballs. If you’re seeing that, forget about
personal property and take shelter immediately. You
don’t want to get beaned by one of those. If it’s
hard enough to crack your windshield or dent a car hood,
you don’t want it bouncing off your head.
 Tornadoes
often follow severe thunderstorms or hail. Often, things
start out okay – a strong thunderstorm misses
you, passing to the north, and you feel lucky to have
only suffered a little rain. But the winds are changing
direction rapidly. Clouds above you, at several different
levels, seem to be moving in different directions –
lower ones from the southwest, higher from the west.
This is when you want to keep an eye on those clouds
and pay close attention to that weather radio, because
tornadoes often form in rain-free pockets on the back
or southwest side of large thunderstorms. Sometimes
they’re immediately preceded by a clear slot,
where the sun shines through and it looks like the storm
has passed. Other times, they form so rapidly there
is no warning.
We often think of the southern United States and the
so-called Tornado Alley stretching across the great
plains when we think about severe weather. But Canada
has its share of wild storms too. Severe weather can
hit at anytime, anywhere in North America. Understanding
a bit about storms, and protecting yourself by watching
the weather and monitoring a weather radio, will keep
you safe and prevent you from winding up on the six
o’clock news, describing what the twister looked
like. (Page Top)
Canada’s Worst Tornadoes
Regina, Saskatchewan:
June 30, 1912 – 28 dead, hundreds injured
Edmonton, Alberta: July 31, 1987
– 27 dead, hundreds injured
Windsor, Ontario: June 17, 1946
– 17 dead, hundreds injured
Pine Lake, Alberta: July 14, 2000
– 12 dead, 140 injured
Windsor, Ontario: April 3, 1974
– 9 dead, 30 injured
Valleyfield, Quebec: August 16, 1888
– 9 dead, 14 injured
Barrie, Ontario: May 31, 1985
– 8 dead, 155 injured
Sudbury, Ontario: August 20, 1970
– 6 dead, 200 injured
St-Rose, Quebec: June 14, 1892
– 6 dead, 26 injured
Buctouche, New Brunswick: August 6, 1879
– 5 dead, 10 injured (Page Top)
Tornado And Lightning
Myths
Myth: I’ll see an approaching
tornado in time to take cover.
Fact: Don’t bet your life on
it. The approach of many tornadoes is masked by heavy
rain or hail. In a forested, hilly, or built-up area,
tornadoes may not be visible until they are imminent.
Myth: I can outrun a tornado in my
car.
Fact: The average forward speed of
a tornado is 40 to 65 km/h, but some travel more rapidly.
Your car may be able to travel faster than a tornado,
but you need to follow the road. Tornadoes don’t.
If you are in a vehicle and a tornado is advancing on
you, drive out of its path or seek an alternative sturdy
shelter.
Myth: Tornadoes are attracted to mobile
homes and trailer parks.
Fact: Mobile homes are not more likely
to be hit by a tornado, but they are more vulnerable
to damage than a brick building, because of their lighter
construction.
Myth: Tornadoes don’t strike
big cities.
Fact: Winnipeg has been hit by tornadoes
a dozen times. Regina and Edmonton have each been hit
eight times. Canada’s deadliest tornado hit Regina.
Myth: The rubber soles of shoes or
rubber tires on a car will protect you from being struck
by lightning.
Fact: Rubber-soled shoes and rubber
tires provide no protection whatsoever from lightning.
The lightning bolt has already traveled thousands of
meters between the cloud and the ground, so your rubber-soled
footwear or tires are inconsequential.
Take care & Happy Family Day
M.B. & Karen Wilson
Wagon Masters
rvtours@interlog.com (Page Top)
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