The storm that tore through Thorold over the weekend was not a tornado, according to Dr. David Sills of the Northern Tornadoes Project.
Dr. Sills, who works with the research group based in London, Ont., said an assessment of the damage points to a different explanation. The destruction is more consistent with the string of storms that moved across Ontario over the past week, and was most likely the work of strong thunderstorm winds.
The finding comes as Thorold residents continue cleaning up after the powerful storm, which knocked out power for many households across the city through the weekend.
Power outages and closures
The outage forced the closure of two well-known local spots: the Lock 7 Viewing Area, a popular spot for watching ships pass along the Welland Canal, and the Thorold Public Library.
Hydro One is still working to reconnect some customers who remain without power.
For residents, the distinction between a tornado and a severe thunderstorm may matter less than the recovery effort itself. But the Northern Tornadoes Project's work in the region has a track record: the group also investigated tornadoes that touched down in Niagara Falls and Fort Erie in the summer of 2024.
Researchers with the project examine damage patterns — the way trees, buildings and other structures are knocked down — to determine whether a tornado was responsible for a storm's destruction, or whether straight-line winds from a severe thunderstorm caused it.
Weekend of wild weather
The Thorold storm was part of a stretch of unsettled weather that has swept across Ontario in recent days, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to several communities.
Cleanup is ongoing in Thorold as the city works to return to normal, with the library and the Lock 7 Viewing Area expected to reopen once power is fully restored.
Residents still experiencing outages can follow updates from Hydro One as crews continue their work.
