Toronto shatters record for the wettest summer season
Toronto has shattered records for the wettest summer season after a weekend of intense rain and windy weather.
Geoff Coulson, warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, told CP24 on Monday that a record-breaking 128.3 millimetres of rain fell at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Saturday alone.
“[It was a] huge amount of rain. Pretty much double a month's worth of rain or more falling in the span of just a few hours on Saturday,” Coulson said.
“With Saturday's number added into the total for June, July and August, we've now shattered the season record at Pearson Airport.”
He went on to say that this June, July, and August are the “wettest” they’ve “ever had” at the airport.
In addition to the heavy rainfall on Saturday, Coulson said the region also saw heavy rainfall in July, which has been marked the wettest month ever at Pearson due to the several thunderstorms that took place and the remnants of Hurricane Beryl that moved through.
“And we still got some time left in the month of August to add to that total,” he added.
The previous record for summer rainfall stood at 396.2 millimetres, according to the national weather agency, but the airport has already seen 475.7 millimetres this season.
The weekend weather also saw a tornado hit the community of Ayr, Ont., according to Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project, which confirmed that the tornado touched down in the region, which is about an hour’s drive west of Toronto, at around 11 a.m. Saturday.
“The track wasn’t all that long about 5.2 kilometres long and about 230 wide at its widest point, but some of its damage was fairly significant,” Coulson said. “Structural damage to the roofs damage of some buildings, tree damage in some areas, as well as some empty rail cars that were tipped over. So a pretty significant event.”
He added that it was a bit unusual that the storm formed in the morning, when usually such storms form in the evening time.
“It was somewhat noteworthy for happening at around 10:40 in the morning on Saturday. Many of our damaging wind events and tornadoes tend to happen in the late afternoon or early evening. So that does make this event stand out somewhat,” Coulson said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Sparks fly as MPs question minister on pension implications of proposed election date change
Sparks flew at a parliamentary committee Thursday as MPs questioned Canada's democratic institutions minister about a widely opposed provision in electoral reform legislation that seeks to delay the next fixed election date by one week.
'There is no electricity': Canadian travellers in Cuba urge caution in hurricane's wake
Cuba's power grid was knocked out by Hurricane Rafael, which ripped across the country as a Category 3 storm. In western Cuba, it toppled buildings and pushed 50,000 people to find shelter elsewhere. Cubans were already enduring rolling blackouts due to energy shortages.
Three charged in One Direction singer Liam Payne's death
Three people have been charged in relation to One Direction singer Liam Payne's death in a fall from his Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month, Argentine authorities said on Thursday.
RCMP already 'on high alert' for potential wave of migrants after Trump election
Canada's federal police force has been preparing for months on a contingency plan for a potential massive influx of migrants across the border following Trump's promise of 'mass deportations' of millions of undocumented immigrants in the U.S.
'There was no stopping this baby from coming': Woman gives birth while aboard Newfoundland ferry
A young family from Codroy Valley, N.L., is happy to be on land and resting with their newborn daughter, Miley, after an overwhelming, yet exciting experience at sea.
Volkswagen models recalled for airbag safety precaution
Recall notices have been issued for some Volkswagen models from 2006 to 2019 for airbag safety issues.
Canmore wildlife and landscape defender Karsten Heuer dies peacefully at 56
Canmore conservationist Karsten Heuer, who was a biologist, park ranger, author and activist, has died.
America votes: How celebrities are reacting to Trump's decisive victory
Celebrities from Hulk Hogan to Ariana Grande are sharing their reactions to the U.S. election, which will see Donald Trump return to the White House.
3 Winnipeg police officers charged with breach of trust, theft
Three members of the Winnipeg Police Service have been charged with breach of trust, obstruction of justice and theft following a lengthy investigation