NZP Chasers

09/10/2026

Following analysis of NTP damage survey results, the NTP has confirmed two tornadoes in southern Manitoba on September 6.

The first was at Bénard with damage to several buildings and grain bins rated at EF1. There was one injury.

The second tornado occurred in the River Heights area of Winnipeg. There was roof damage to homes, sheds, trees and vehicles, including a car that was moved. The damage there was also rated at EF1.

Full details at the NTP blog here: https://www.uwo.ca/ntp/blog/2026/two_ef1_tornadoes_in_southern_manitoba_on_sep_6.html

09/09/2026

Now that storm season has come to an end, we are happy to share some exciting news about our 2026 storm season (yes, we've been holding out). During the July 10, 2026 Saskatchewan tornado outbreak, NZP was able to successfully deploy an instrument probe inside a tornadic supercell, a first in Canadian history. The probe is mounted with 4 GoPro's and a weather station, providing a 360 view inside storms. The probe recorded the entire evolution of the two tornadoes that occurred NE of Cupar on this day, including a textbook "hand-off". The probe provided valuable evidence for tornado verification and was immediately shared with the Northern Tornadoes Project that day, which were able to confirm two EF0 tornadoes.

To our knowledge, this the first time in Canadian history that an instrument probe was successfully deployed in the path of a tornadic storm, directly hit by a supercell while recording video & weather data and documented tornadoes while doing so. Although the tornadoes lifted before impacting the probe, the entire tornadogenesis process of the 2nd tornado was documented via video, including RFD cut and downburst.

This did not come without its inherent issues:
1) The weather station is consumer grade and unreliable (primarily used as a proof-of-concept), providing little scientific value and will need to be upgraded;
2) the south-facing camera had a malfunction and did not record and
3) the tornadoes lifted prior to hitting the instrument, providing no wind speed recording for EF-scale rating.

This is a good start, and there is great potential for future seasons and it has proven to be a durable design and worthwhile investment. The work will continue in subsequent seasons with equipment upgrades to achieve our goals of recording the first direct tornado hit and pressure drop in Canadian history.

If you are interested in learning more information about our motivations and project goals, head over to our website: https://www.nzpchasers.ca/probe-project

Reed Timmer Extreme Meteorologist

On July 10, 2026, NZP Chasers deployed an instrument probe NE of Cu...

09/08/2026

Tornado watch extended across southwestern Manitoba

09/07/2026

Strong non-thunderstorm wind gusts are expected beginning tomorrow morning across the RRV as a low pressure system occludes across the north. Wind gusts up to 80km/h would be possible across areas of Brandon-Melita-Killarney-Morden-Pembina and surrounding areas

09/07/2026

Storms have developed along a surface dryline across SE Saskatchewan and western North Dakota. These (and more) storms should move toward SW Manitoba in the next few hours. It is uncertain how severe these storms will be as they cross the border

09/07/2026

⚠️ TORNADO WATCH ⚠️

--00z update--
Extended into southwestern Manitoba

--Previous--
Issued for southeastern Saskatchewan

09/07/2026

Some strong to severe thunderstorms are again possible this evening across southwestern Manitoba. Brandon could be impacted in the 9-10pm timeframe. Main hazards would be gusty winds, hail and heavy rain.

09/07/2026

Some decent rain over the last 24hrs with Portage La Prairie receiving almost 100mm of rain

09/06/2026

Severe storms are expected to impact Winnipeg in the 6-7pm timeframe and exit the region around 10pm. You can expect heavy rain with risk of flash flooding, frequent lightning and possible small hail with these

09/05/2026

CB from North Dakota seen from Winnipeg!