Environment Canada has confirmed two tornadoes that touched down in fields near Fergus and Salem on Sept. 1 are the 18th and 19th tornadoes of the season registered in Ontario – and the third and fourth registered in Wellington County this season.
Fergus storm chaser David Patrick videotaped the tornado near Fergus and observed a second near Salem.
Environment Canada rated the twisters as EF0 – or on the low end of the Enhanced Fujita Scale Zero. Winds, according to the weather agency, can still create gusts of up to 110 kilometers an hour.
“It is the weakest,” said Patrick of the twisters he observed. “That is what I expected. It would show very little damage.”
However, Patrick said even though winds were low they could pick up light objects such as patio furniture and pose a potential danger.
The Fergus-area tornado touched down in a field and bush south of Fergus near the intersection of Sideroad 6 and the 2nd Line.
The second tornado was spotted off Wellington Road 18 near Salem at around 6:30pm. Patrick was unable to get a clear video shot of the second twister, which reportedly was captured by a second storm chaser.
