Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
PELADN Mini PC Intel N5095 Buy Now
Women's Cotton Modal Pajama Set Buy Now
Mens Golf Pants Buy Now
Lee Women's Ultra Lux Comfort Jeans Buy Now
Sefwon Phantom Black Unlocked Android Smartphone Buy Now
Blaosn Athletic Skirts for Women Buy Now
Fabric Resistance Bands for Working Out Buy Now
Men's Softshell Hooded Jacket Buy Now
HeatGear Compression Long-Sleeve T-Shirt Buy Now
Jerzees Dri-Power Tees Buy Now
Best Friend Keychain Gifts Buy Now
3-in-1 Charger for iPhone, AirPods, Apple Watch Buy Now
BZB Women's Ribbed Tank Tops Buy Now
Turtleneck Long Sleeve Cable Knit Sweaters Buy Now
Men's Slim Fit One Button Blazer Buy Now
Monitech Digital Camera for Photography 4K Buy Now
Ninja BL770 Mega Kitchen System Buy Now
10" Android Tablet Buy Now
Long Sleeve Sweater for Men Buy Now
Trendy Women's Summer Tops Buy Now
MoreBack to News Headlines
Tornado database from Environment Canada archives offers new twist on storm chasing

Tornado database from Environment Canada archives offers new twist on storm chasing

CBC
Saturday, August 3, 2024 11:16 AM GMT

A trove of documents detailing more than two centuries of tornado events in Canada is now available to anyone with an internet connection.

The files were housed in Environment Canada's archives, and have been digitized and posted online as part of a multi-year project spearheaded by the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) at Western University in London, Ont.

Officially unveiled last week by the research group, The Michael Newark Digitized Tornado Archive includes reports, photographs and news clippings of Canadian tornadoes going back to the country's first recorded twister in 1792.

The archive's namesake collected most of the material in the 1970s and 1980s while working as a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

Newark, who was at last week's unveiling, said he began building the archive because no one had up to that point.

"I was shocked to discover there was virtually nothing, not quite nothing, but pretty, nearly nothing about tornadoes in the scientific literature," he told CBC Radio's Afternoon Drive on Tuesday.

The seed for the idea was planted after Newark appeared on CBC Radio in Toronto in April 1974 to discuss a tornado that had hit Windsor, destroying the local curling club arena and leaving nine dead.

The twister was one of more than 150 that would spawn on both sides of the border on April 3 and 4 during the historic 1974 Super Outbreak. At least 335 people in 13 states and Ontario were killed.

Asked by longtime CBC host Bruce Smith where tornadoes occurred and how common they were, Newark didn't have an answer, he said.

Over a 10-year period, Newark and some volunteers scoured libraries, old newspapers and books to identify old tornadoes and collect what information they could find — wind speed, path lengths and widths, damage reports, the time of year, the direction of movement and more.

The result was an unprecedented database of Canadian twisters that has proven valuable for researchers in the years since, including the NTP, which was founded with a similar goal of documenting every tornado that touches down in Canada.

"Certainly you can see that he poured his heart and soul into building this archive ... with hundreds and hundreds of files that he had put together," said David Sills, NTP's executive director.

"There's a lot of information that's not related to the tornadoes directly in there that's also interesting. Little side notes about how people reacted, or kinds of damage that was odd."

The documents were digitized by Environment Canada and sent to NTP, which added metadata to the files before uploading them to the website of Western Libraries. As of now, only files for Ontario events have been uploaded, but the rest will be made available over the coming months.

Read full story on CBC
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
PM's upcoming First Nations summit on Bill C-5 seems 'rushed,' say chiefs

More details have been shared about a summit between the federal government and First Nations chiefs planned for next week on the major projects bill, though some chiefs say plans for the summit seem as rushed as the legislation. 

Researchers retract, then re-publish study linking wildfire smoke and dementia

Last year, researchers said they had identified a link between wildfire smoke and increased risk of dementia. 

Young Inuit take to the skies in pilot training program with dreams of serving Nunavik

An enthusiastic applause greets Melissa Haney as she walks into a classroom at Iguarsivik high school in Puvirnituq, Nunavik. She was just introduced as the first Inuk woman to captain a Boeing 737. 

Could your beach reads actually be therapeutic? Bibliotherapy suggests they might

This story is part of CBC Health's Second Opinion, a weekly analysis of health and medical science news emailed to subscribers on Saturday mornings. If you haven't subscribed yet, you can do that by clicking here.

Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games postponed to 2026 due to wildfires

The Manitoba Indigenous Summer Games (MISG) that were scheduled to begin next week in Norway House Cree Nation, have been postponed to next year.

What is the essence of cool? A global study narrows it down to 6 key traits

Cool is cool, no matter where you are in the world.

How some students with disabilities avoid the 'transition cliff' after high school

For the past 10 months, Toronto student Danial Young rose at 6 a.m. on weekdays to attend a program vastly different from what he'd known, leaving friends and familiar teachers behind as he ventured into new spaces and was challenged to develop new skills. 

Ancient Saskatchewan archaeological site falls victim to illegal scavenging

A crucial archaeological site in Saskatchewan has become a target for illegal scavenging.

Decision to refill Lake Pisiquid coming with side-effects, say some Windsor residents

Some Windsor, N.S., residents say a two-year-old decision to close the gates of an aboiteau and keep Lake Pisiquid filled with water is unnecessary and causing other problems.

First Nations opposition to Bill C-5 draws comparisons to Idle No More movement

As more First Nations voice opposition to Bill C-5, some are drawing comparisons to the 2012 Idle No More movement. 

Islanders are being asked to help track the rare smooth greensnake this summer

If you spot a smooth greensnake in the wild on Prince Edward Island this summer, the province's Forests, Fish and Wildlife Division wants to hear from you.

News got you down? Counsellors explain why doom scrolling is so easy — and how to limit it

Western Canada glaciers melting twice as fast as in previous decade, research says; Nigerian judge convicts man of sextorting B.C. teen who died by suicide; Overdose deaths tick up to 165 in April: B.C. Coroners Service; Her husband died after a lung transplant. Now she has to sell her home to pay the bills; Gaza health authorities say Israel kills 44 waiting for aid as war's death toll passes 56,000. 

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us