Two tornadoes and a downburst were confirmed in the Tavistock, Ont. area following a line of intense thunderstorms that moved through southwestern Ontario last week, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project. The Northern Tornadoes Project said a ground and drone survey, along with an analysis of the results, confirmed the three weather events that occurred on Sept. 2. The first tornado began west of Tavistock and tracked into the community, causing minor damage to trees and house shingles. It was rated EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, with estimated maximum winds of 125 km/h. The tornado began at about 5:23 p.m. and travelled 6.24 kilometres, with a maximum path width of 410 metres. The Northern Tornadoes Project said a clear path through crops was visible along its route. A second tornado developed near Shakespeare, north of Tavistock, about two minutes later and tracked southeast. It was rated EF1, with estimated maximum winds of 155 km/h. The tornado travelled 8.29 kilometres and had a maximum path width of 420 metres. The Northern Tornadoes Project said several farm buildings were damaged, including a barn, along with trees and crops. The damage was concentrated along a path beginning southeast of Shakespeare. Both tornadoes converged toward a downburst that developed east of Tavistock and travelled more than 17 kilometres toward the east-southeast. The downburst was rated EF0, with estimated maximum winds of 125 km/h. Damage to trees, farm outbuildings and the roof of a home was reported. No injuries were reported in any of the three events. The Northern Tornadoes Project completed its ground surveys on Sept. 4.
