THUNDER BAY — Researchers have now confirmed an area southwest of Thunder Bay was hit not just by one, but by multiple tornadoes on Aug. 31.
The Northern Tornadoes Project at Western University in London has released the results of its investigation into wind events that occurred at South Gillies and at Oliver Lake.
NTP researchers have concluded both were EF1 tornadoes.
They had previously determined a wind event at Marks Lake at 4:45 p.m. the same day was an EF0 tornado.
The team reported Tuesday that evidence shows a tornado with maximum wind speed of 145 km/h touched down at South Gillies at 5:15 p.m. Saturday on the Labour Day weekend.
After conducting a ground and drone survey, NTP found the length of the tornado's track to be almost seven kilometres, with a maximum width of 480 metres.
A photo released by the group shows a broad swath of downed trees.
Five minutes after the event at South Gillies, an EF1 tornado touched down near Oliver Lake with a maximum wind speed of 140 km/h.
It knocked down a large number of trees and damaged several structures including homes, outbuildings and a storage barn, but no injuries were reported.
This tornado's track was 14 kilometres, with a maximum path width of 910 metres.
