MONTREAL, September 17,
2007 - Canada's Environment Minister, John
Baird, today received an award on behalf
of the Government of Canada from the United
Nations Environment Programme for Canada's
important contribution to making the Montreal
Protocol on ozone protection a success.
"I am honoured that Canada has been
recognized by the United Nations for its
leadership in protecting the ozone layer,"
said Minister Baird. "Twenty years
ago, under Canadian leadership, we took
a major step forward to protect the ozone
layer. Twenty years later, Canada is again
showing leadership by pushing for an aggressive
phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs).
I am proud of the role Canada continues
to play on the world stage."
Under the Montreal Protocol, countries
have committed to eliminating harmful substances,
called hydrochlorofluorocarbons that deplete
the ozone layer and contribute to global
warming. As the host of the 20th Anniversary
meeting in Montreal, Canada has joined with
the United Nations and other countries in
calling for serious action now in order
that ozone preservation and climate change
- are addressed together.
Protocol signatories are meeting this week
to chart the future of the Protocol, to
ensure that the world remains on track to
phase out the remaining uses of ozone-depleting
substances. The original Montreal Protocol
on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
was signed in 1987 by 24 countries, including
Canada. Since then, more than 190 countries
have signed on, and more than 95% of the
chemicals that harm the ozone layer have
been eliminated.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Elie Tornado Upgraded to Highest Level
on Damage Scale
Canada's First Official F5 Tornado
WINNIPEG- September 18, 2007 - Environment
Canada meteorologists have confirmed that
the Elie, Manitoba tornado of June 22, 2007
reached F5 intensity, the highest rating
on the Fujita tornado damage scale, making
it thefirst officially documented F5 tornado
in Canada.
The Fujita scale measures the strength
of tornadoes based on damage indicators.
An F5 tornado accounts for about one tenth
of one percent of all tornadoes in North
America.
Preliminary assessment by Environment Canada's
onsite storm survey team had earlier indicated
clear evidence of F4 damage. However, damage
seen at two of the homes indicated possible
F5 intensity. Based on further evaluation,
including review of additional video images,
Environment Canada meteorologists at the
Prairie and Arctic Storm Prediction Centre
in Winnipeg confirm evidence of F5 level
damage.
Environment Canada reports the video confirmed
some of the suspected F5 evidence seen onsite
in June. An almost intact house can be seen
being thrown several hundred metres through
the air before disintegrating and falling
to the ground. Seconds later a heavy van
is seen being whirled through the air; it
was later found in an open field south of
the main damage.
In order to rate a tornado, only one instance
of any one damage indicator has to be clearly
met. With two F5 damage indicators occurring
within seconds of each other, experts decided
to re-evaluate some of the evidence seen
in June.
The Elie tornado was on the ground for
about 35 minutes, and traveled for a distance
of about 5.5 km. Damage occurred in a swath
up to 300 metres wide. Wind speeds are estimated
to have reached between 420 to 510 km/h
when the tornado was at its most intense.
Fortunately, there were no fatalities or
serious injuries with either the Elie tornado
or the F4 tornado which struck Birtle, Manitoba
in 1994. Manitoba's only other documented
F4 tornado, which struck the Rosa-St. Malo
area in 1977, resulted in three fatalities.
The F2 tornado which struck Gull Lake, Manitoba
in 2006 caused one fatality and numerous
injuries.
Eleven tornadoes have occurred in Manitoba
so far this summer. In 2006, Manitoba experienced
15 tornadoes, compared to a long term (1984-2006)
average of nine tornadoes.
Canadaranks second in the world for tornado
occurrences, experiencing an average of
80-100 tornadoes annually, compared to an
average of 1000-1200 in the United States
each year. The incidence of tornadoes in
Canada is likely higher than that, but because
Canada has large, unmonitored and sparsely
populated areas, many more tornadoes may
go unreported.
The science of storms is a priority for
Environment Canada, and work is ongoing
to enhance and continuously improve our
understanding and knowledge of severe weather
patterns and tornadoes. Environment Canada
welcomes videos and photos of severe weather
events. Members of the public willing to
share their images or video may do so via
email at storm@ec.gc.ca.
Related Documents:
Dave Carlsen
Warning Preparedness Meteorologist
Environment Canada
