Tornado count up across Canada in 2026

Trees are snapped in half after a potential tornado near Harrington, Quebec and Tuesday, July 21. The Northern Tornadoes project continues to investigate the damage and storm track. (Photo Xtreme Chase Quebec)

Investigators with the The Northern Tornadoes Project out of Western University continue to investigate Tuesday's storm near the Laurentian community of Harrington. The storm stripped trees, damaged cars and homes and snapped power poles in half. Many roads in the community were blocked with debris. Thankfully there were no injuries. Resident believe it was a tornado, and evidence seems to back that up in places. There is also a suggestion of a strong microburst, where scores of trees were flattened seemingly in the same direction. The investigation is ongoing.

If it was a tornado, it would be the 4th in Quebec to date in 2026. Quebec has been lucky. Across Canada, tornadoes are on the increase, with 83 so far this year, compared to the long-term average of 65. Leading the way is Saskatchewan with 34, or 233 percent of normal, followed by Alberta at 27. Ontario with 8 and Quebec's 3 trail far behind. The United States is still has the dubious honour of leading the away when it comes to tornadoes, with 1017 to date in 2026.

Significant damage was reported around Harrington after Tuesday afternoons storms went through. (CBC)

Very hot and at times humid weather pushing north around the heat dome over the midwestern United States along with frequent cold fronts sliding southeast from northern Canada, have been responsible for the active season. There is no end in sight to this pattern. If anything, it may intensify, with hot air expected to surge into the southern Prairies this week as the heat dome expands north once again.

Montreal has managed to avoid wind damage with most of the storms, however there has been significant flash flooding at times, as well as tens of thousands of lighting strikes this summer, that has helped fuel and active fire season in Ontario and Quebec. Whether or not you believe in climate change, our planet seems rather stressed these days.

Thankfully, the weather seems calm for Montreal this weekend. We can expect a near-perfect summer weekend, with sunny skies, light winds and temperatures in the upper 20s (81 to 85F). Overnight lows will be comfortable, ranging from 17C to 19C (63 to 66F). The warm air will persist into next week, becoming more humid at times, with an increase in showers and thunderstorms by Tuesday.

If you are enjoying summer vacation, be safe and have fun.