Gainford, AB F1 Tornado of June 2, 1982

Spruce Grove - Morinville - Mayerthorpe - Evansburg


Figure 1 depicts the surface observations at 7:00 am EST, which shows an area of low pressure across Southern British Columbia. This low pressure area likely moved east throughout the day and triggered thunderstorms, which ultimately led to this tornado.

Figure 1. Surface analysis at 7:00 am on June 2, 1982 showing mean sea-level pressure (MSLP) contours, surface observations, fronts and pressure centres (NOAA, 2020)

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (2018), an F1 tornado touched down at 3:30 pm MDT near Gainford, AB. The path and width of the tornado was not documented by ECCC. The tornado caused $8000 dollars in property damage.


Sources

NOAA Central Library. (2019). U.S. Daily Weather Maps. Wednesday June 2, 1982 [PDF]. Retrieved from https://library.noaa.gov/Collections/Digital-Collections/US-Daily-Weather-Maps

Environment and Climate Change Canada Data. (2018). Canadian National Tornado Database: Verified Events (1980-2009) – Public. Retrieved from: http://donnees.ec.gc.ca/data/weather/products/canadian-national-tornado-database-verified-events-1980-2009-public/