Latest news with #AnthonyFarnell
Global News
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Researchers confirm 1st tornado of 2025 in Ontario has touched down
Tornado season is officially underway in Ontario as the first one touched down near Woodstock, Ont., a week ago, according to weather researchers. The Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) at Western University said Thursday that an EFO tornado — the lowest level on the tornado severity index — touched down in Lakeside, Ont., at around 3 a.m. on May 16. In a blog post on NTP's website, the group says that 'only trees and a power pole were damaged along the tornado's narrow path' and that no injuries were reported. View image in full screen A map, courtesy of the Northern Tornadoes Project, shows where the tornado touched down. Northern Tornadoes Project The NTP estimated that wind speeds reached up to 115 km/h while it touched down for 3.6 kilometres with a width of 160 metres. Story continues below advertisement The NTP had previously reported that there was an EFO downburst about 45 minutes prior to the tornado down the highway in Chatham. The downburst left behind damage to several barns and farm buildings as well as power poles and trees in the area. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Global News Chief Meteorologist Anthony Farnell explained the difference between the two weather events. 'A downburst is wind that descends from a thunderstorm and fans out when it reaches the ground while a tornado that is wind converging at the surface and then rising into the storm,' he said. 'The damage pattern is different for the two events but in this case the wind speeds are similar. 'Tornado damage is often narrow and chaotic (in several directions). Downbust wind damage can be more widespread but it's mostly in the same direction.' While this is the first confirmed tornado of the year in Ontario, there have been five others across the country in 2025 so far, including one in Vanderhoof, B.C., on Wednesday. There were 129 tornados across Canada in 2025, according to NTP, with 60 of those occurring in Ontario.
Global News
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Global News
Ontarians to see wild swing in weather throughout Victoria Day long weekend
The Victoria Day long weekend is often the start to summer for many Ontarians, with many heading to trailers and cottages to kick off the season. That said, the weather for the holiday weekend, colloquially referred to as 'May Two-Four', seems to almost always disappoint and this weekend's forecast is no different. Heading into the weekend, Friday will be great, according to Global News Chief Meteorologist Anthony Farnell, but it is the days that follow that are the issue. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Friday will be one of the warmest days of the season so far but unfortunately the good times are coming to an end just in time for the May long weekend,' he explained. 'An area of low pressure will bring the risk of thunderstorms overnight Friday in the GTA with additional rounds of rain developing later Saturday across mostly eastern Ontario, but showers are also likely elsewhere.' Story continues below advertisement Farnell said that things will eventually improve Sunday after a soggy Saturday but it will still be sweater weather on Sunday. 'As the low pressure moves into Quebec on Sunday, linger showers will taper off by afternoon for the eastern part of the province with increasing sunshine elsewhere,' the meteorologist said. 'Cooler-than-normal temperatures will prevail with brisk northwest winds on Sunday. Victoria Day Monday is likely to be the best day of the weekend with partial sunshine, less wind and a slightly warmer temperature.' He said things will remain cold for a good portion of the week to follow as well.
