Latest news with #ECCC
CTV News
2 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Potential tornado touches down in Danville as Quebec hit by violent storms
A possible tornado may have struck Danville in the Eastern Townships as high winds tore through roofs, causing damage and leaving tens of thousands of people in the dark Thursday night. By mid-evening, Hydro-Quebec was reporting 20,000 power outages. As of Friday morning, there are still more than 16,000 addresses without electricity. This comes after Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Greater Montreal area, including a risk of tornado, strong winds, hail and torrential rain between 50 and 70 mm. These conditions were also favourable to form a large-scale storm, known as a 'supercell,' according to Alexandra Cournoyer, a weather spokesperson for the agency. 'These are storms with a lot of energy, humidity and instability. These storms have all the necessary ingredients that could come together to form a tornado.' The overnight risks were higher in the Eastern Townships, Montérégie and Centre-du-Québec regions. 'Obviously, these precipitation rates will vary locally because municipalities or cities directly in the path of the storm are likely to receive more precipitation than a municipality a few kilometres away from the storm's centre,' said Cournoyer. Other areas further north, particularly Mauricie, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Outaouais and the Laurentians, remain under a warning of 'occasionally heavy' rain for Friday. 'It could fall at a fairly high rate. This could eventually lead to torrential rains that could increase sudden river flooding in these regions,' said Cournoyer. All the same, humidity is expected to drop on Friday, along with temperatures, and return to seasonal norms. 'Starting on Saturday, depending on the prevailing winds and air masses, we will see a second wave of warm air from the United States arriving in parts of Quebec,' said Cournoyer. 'The spell of milder temperatures will not last long. Already for the weekend and early next week, we are monitoring a heat wave with high humidex.' With files from the Canadian Press.
The Star
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia continues efforts to establish a Legacy Institution for genocide prevention, education
This photo taken on March 28, 2025 shows tourists looking at portrait photos of victims of the Khmer Rouge regime at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh. The ECCC Legacy Institution aims to prevent the recurrence of the genocidal regime and support public education. - AFP PHNOM PENH: The Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) has shared a concept note on the establishment of the ECCC Legacy Institution, which aims to prevent the recurrence of the genocidal regime and support public education. This dissemination took place on June 19, and was chaired by Vongsey Vissoth, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister, Minister in Charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers and chairman of the Working Group for Cooperation with the UN and Development Partners for the Implementation of the ECCC's Residual Functions. The meeting was attended by officials from relevant ministries, Joseph Scheuer, UN coordinator in Cambodia, representatives from 18 embassies, and representatives from numerous domestic and international organisations. Vissoth stated that Prime Minister Hun Manet has a far-reaching vision to establish the ECCC Legacy Institution. He noted that the institution aims to strengthen and maintain long-term peace in Cambodia, prevent the recurrence of atrocities and genocide and share Cambodia's hard-earned experiences related to post-conflict resolution, peacebuilding and transitional justice at the regional and global level. He added that the institution will have the mission of managing and preserving archives related to the ECCC, as well as promoting training and research on the ECCC's achievements, valuable experiences and jurisprudence. In addition, it will educate future generations of Cambodian youth and the general public to prevent atrocities and genocide in Cambodia. It will also foster partnerships with national and international institutions to enhance education, peacebuilding, the prevention of genocidal crimes and transitional justice. 'The meeting participants fully supported the establishment of this Legacy Institution and pledged their support to make it a significant hub for information and research through education, dissemination and in-depth national and international research to promote justice within peace, and to prevent crimes and atrocities in the future, with the goal of maintaining long-term peace in Cambodia, the region and the world,' said an ECCC statement. Vissoth expressed gratitude for the support of the UN and the international community for the ECCC's operations. He called on relevant parties, the international community, development partners, private sector leaders and international organisations to participate in this initiative and support Cambodia's new institution. He also urged contributions of ideas and resources in partnership to establish the ECCC Legacy Institution, contributing to shared regional and global responsibilities for peacebuilding, post-conflict resolution and transitional justice. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
CTV News
11 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Environment Canada explains timing of Essex tornado alert, as experts weigh in
A storm prompted a tornado warning on June 5 at 12:32 a.m., which many residents say came after the worst of the weather had passed. Following concerns from Essex residents about the timing of a tornado warning earlier this month, Environment Canada is explaining the science behind how and when such alerts are issued. It comes as the Town of Essex formally moves forward with a request for answers, approving a motion this week to ask Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to clarify how its alerts are triggered and whether southern Essex County has adequate radar coverage. The June 5 storm prompted a tornado warning at 12:32 a.m., which many residents say came after the worst of the weather had passed. According to ECCC, that alert followed a severe thunderstorm warning issued at 12:03 a.m., when the storm was over Harrow and tracking northeast. 'Tornado Warnings are issued by ECCC when there is evidence that a tornado has developed or may form imminently,' said spokesperson Hannah Boonstra in a statement to CTV News. She said meteorologists 'always strive to provide the best lead-time possible with all warnings and use all available observation data to inform their decisions.' Boonstra explained that Essex County is primarily covered by radar in Exeter, Ontario, with additional data used from neighbouring U.S. radar systems to help forecasters monitor developing storms. 'ECCC is continually enhancing its weather services,' she added, 'taking full advantage of the latest technology to upgrade the tools used to predict and relay information about the weather to Canadians.' Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy says the storm and the delayed alert have reinforced the need for timely communication in the region. 'We know Windsor-Essex County; we're surrounded by water. We're surrounded by the Great Lakes, the river,' said Bondy. 'We know that there's storms here that can be quite volatile, and we need accurate information.' She says she's hopeful the town's outreach will lead to more than just a written response. 'Maybe there's a relationship where in Essex we offer some municipal property for them to use to put more infrastructure,' said Bondy. 'One of the hardest things' to forecast CTV News also spoke with David Sills, director of Western University's Northern Tornadoes Project, who said tornado warnings are notoriously difficult to issue with precision. 'Tornadoes are very difficult to warn for,' he said. 'Every second counts when it comes to tornado warnings.' Sills said his team evaluates the performance of Environment Canada's warnings each year, and while they've improved slightly, there's still room to grow. 'They've been improving the last few times we've done the report card,' he said. 'But, you know, there's a lot of work left to do.' He noted that the target lead time for a tornado warning is only about ten minutes — making fast, accurate alerts a constant challenge for forecasters. 'It's really one of the hardest things as a forecaster, dealing with tornadoes and tornado warnings,' he said. Tornado risk remains high in Ontario In 2024, Ontario led the country in tornado activity, with 60 tornadoes confirmed across the province, according to the Northern Tornadoes Project. Among them was Canada's first tornado of the year — an EF0 landspout that touched down in Malden Centre, right in Essex County, on March 16, 2024. It tied a record for Ontario's earliest confirmed tornado on record. The rising number of verified tornadoes in recent years is due in part to improved radar coverage and enhanced investigations by the Northern Tornadoes Project, which uses satellite imagery, drone surveys and ground reports to confirm and classify events. While most tornadoes are weak and short-lived, Bondy says they still present serious risk and require timely communication tools. 'We haven't yet heard back [from Environment Canada], but I've heard back from residents that they need to do more,' she said. 'We need to have a good working relationship with Environment Canada so that we can trust and rely.'
CTV News
17 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Colleen Bready's forecast: Tornadoes possible as thunderstorms brew
Colleen Bready has your current conditions and updated weather forecast for June 19, 2025. Colleen Bready has your current conditions and updated weather forecast for June 19, 2025. After severe thunderstorms moved through southwestern Manitoba Wednesday, more are expected to develop in the region Thursday that could produce tornadoes. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued tornado watch Thursday for all areas within the Virden, Minnedosa and Dauphin regions. ECCC said a low pressure system will trigger severe thunderstorms in southeastern Saskatchewan Thursday afternoon that will move into southwestern Manitoba by early evening. The weather agency said conditions are favourable for these severe thunderstorms to produce tornadoes. Hail up to six centimetres in size, wind gusts up to 100 km/h and heavy rain are also likely. Expand Autoplay 1 of 49 Sunset Sunset over Northshore Bunnville, Sagkeeng First Nation (Photo by Brittany Bunn) Baby loon Baby loon. A couple hrs old! (Photo by Bruce Janzen) Dandelion Dandelion (Photo by Sheryl Twardoski) Mom and dad stand guard Mom and dad stand guard (Photo by Debbie Wowchuk) Garson, Manitoba Garson, Manitoba (Photo by Tom Kostyk) Rainbow over Steinbach Rainbow over Steinbach (Photo by Christopher Bleasdale) Fathers' Day sunset Fathers' Day sunset on East of Elm Creek (Photo by Marion Stangl) Can you see the face? Can you see the face? (Photo by Audrey Seip) Beauty of a rainbow Beauty of a rainbow (Photo by Christine Pedersen) Fort Garry Bad hair day out in our yard in Fort Garry (Photo by Brent Prusak) Oak Lake, MB Western Grebe couple (Photo by Vladimir McRae) Whyte Ridge Park Barely enjoying the weather in Whyte Ridge Park. (Photo by Martha Heinrichs) The Pas, MB Two swans and a duck swimming under a rainbow. (Photo by Halle Olson) Snowy Owl Snowy Owl finding breakfast at the zoo (Photo by Neil Longmuir) Northern lights Northern lights put on a show over Riverton, Manitoba (Photo by Vince Pahkala) Bee in the garden Bee in the garden (Photo by Debbie Wowchuk) Great Crested Flycatcher Great Crested Flycatcher belting out his mating call in St. Vital. (Photo by Wade Munro) June Strawberry Moon June Strawberry Moon (Photo by Hans Epp) Lady Slippers Beautiful yellow Lady Slippers (Photo by Lorette Dheilly) Big Bug's Bunny Big Bug's bunny (Photo by Beverly McLean) Elm Creek sky Elm Creek sky (Photo by Natalie Stangl) Mom and her ducklings Mom and her ducklings (Photo by Debbie Wowchuk) Lester beach Cold and incredibly windy in Lester beach (Photo by Andrew Ashett) Transcona trail Transcona trail (Photo by Jennifer Zacharias) Hatchlings Dove hatchlings. (Photo by Emmin Hosein) Sperling MB Approaching storm in Sperling MB (Photo by Ken Russell) Big Saturday Storm Big Saturday storm energizing seconds before huge downpour over Clearwater Bay. (Photo by Geoff Hicks) Manitoba Karting Track Manitoba Karting track (Photo by Monica Brooks) Gladstone Gladstone, Manitoba (Photo by Ray Baloun) Riding Mountain National Park Smoky the bear (Photo by Vladimir McRae) Brandon MB Smokey sunset at Errol Black Park (Photo by Giselle Fillion) Steinbach MB This kit was very curious but cautious (Photo by Kevin Friesen) Betula Lake Turtle off to lay her eggs at Betula Lake (Photo by Chris Jonsson) Red River Dragon boat racing along the Red River (Photo by Patricia McGhie) Blue Heron Blue heron at Hillside Beach, MB/ (Photo by Seth Franklin) Wildfire haze Wildfire haze at Snowlake area (Photo by Kevin Shpak) Pelicans and Smoke Pelicans and smoke (Photo by Doug Lauvstad) Old Pinawa Dam Old Pinawa Dam (Photo by Jennifer Field) Sunset Sunset over Mitchell (Photo by Martha Loeppky) After the light rain After the light rain in Beausejour (Photo by Ed Pauls) Over looking the Red River Henderson Highway over looking the Red River (Photo by Betty Clark) Trumpeter Swans Flocks of swans have been spotted on the Winnipeg River. Unusual and most likely fleeing the fires. (Photo by Jen Smithson) Very Curious Very curious but cautious (Photo by Kevin Friesen) Beautiful Heron Beautiful heron at Winnipeg Beach (Photo by Annette Courcelles) The Saskatchewan river The Saskatchewan river (Photo by Mary Ann Bradley) Unique cloud formation Unique cloud formation over South of McCreary (Photo by Gail James) Mallards & Geese The pair of Mallards seem to be impressed with the parenting skills of the geese. (Photo by Don McLeod) Northern Lights Northern lights at Durban, Mb. (Photo by Ryan McCullough) Newborn Fawn Newborn fawn (Photo by Roland Huemmer) The likelihood of showers or thunderstorms is lower in the southeast, but still certainly possible, particularly late Thursday evening and overnight, including in Winnipeg. Dry conditions continue in the north Thursday, including in wildfire-affected areas. Sunshine or a mix of sun and clouds, light winds, and highs in the upper-teens or low-twenties are all forecast for the afternoon. Air quality has improved enough Thursday that ECCC has issued no related alerts in Manitoba or northwestern Ontario, but that could change. The weather agency said smoke plumes from wildfires near Island Lake on the Ontario side, coupled with smoke from renewed Nopiming Provincial Park fires will spread south-southwest back into Manitoba before moving north Thursday. That could diminish air quality in the Interlake and east of Lake Winnipeg.
CTV News
17 hours ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Parts of Manitoba under tornado watch
A scenic shot of the lake in Riding Mountain National Park. (Source: Bradley Abells) A low pressure system could brew severe thunderstorms and potential tornado activity in parts of Manitoba. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a tornado watch for areas in the southwest, including Dauphin, Russell, Riding Mountain National Park, Roblin and Minnedosa. According to the weather agency, the system coming from Saskatchewan is set to track through southwest Manitoba by early Thursday night, bringing a chance of severe thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes. Manitoba tornado watch A map on Environment and Climate Change Canada's website shows regions in Manitoba under severe thunderstorm and tornado watches. Large hail up to six centimetres, wind gusts up to 110 km/h, and heavy rain are also likely. 'This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches,' the weather alert said. In the event of the tornado, the weather agency advises going indoors to a room on the lowest floor, staying away from outside walls and windows, like a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet, leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers or other temporary or free-standing shelters, and move to a strong building if you can. As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from falling debris. Much of the southwest is also under a severe thunderstorm watch, with similar conditions expected, including large hail, strong winds and heavy rain.
