The Northern Tornadoes Project has confirmed that an EF0 tornado touched down near Croton while two EF0 downbursts struck Walpole Island and Blenheim as a line of severe storms moved through southwestern Ontario during the early morning hours of June 12.
The tornado near Croton began at approximately 2 a.m. EDT and caused damage to an outbuilding, crops and trees. No injuries were reported.
According to the Northern Tornadoes Project, “Damage to an outbuilding and crops was reported in the Croton area after a storm passed through. No injuries were reported. An NTP ground and drone survey was completed on June 12, 2026, documenting the reported damage and discovering additional damage to trees. Damage assessed as an EF0 tornado, with an estimated max. wind speed of 130 km/h, track length of 4.80 km and max. path width of 150 m. Tornado motion was from the SW (approx. 235 degrees). Start time is radar estimated. Satellite imagery review is pending.”
The tornado’s damage path extended approximately 4.8 kilometres, with a maximum width of 150 metres. Investigators estimated peak winds at 130 kilometres per hour.
At Walpole Island, a microburst was confirmed after reports of damage following the same storm system. The downburst occurred at approximately 1:35 a.m. EDT.
The Northern Tornadoes Project said, “Damage to a cell tower was reported in Walpole after a storm passed through the area. An NTP ground survey was completed on June 12, 2026, documenting the reported damage along with tree damage and minor roof damage in the area. Damage assessed as EF0 microburst, with an estimated max. wind speed of 130 km/h, with damage found over a limited area approximately 1.2 km long and up to 0.5 km wide. Start time is radar estimated. Satellite imagery review is pending.”
The Walpole Island downburst caused damage across an area approximately 1.2 kilometres long and up to 0.5 kilometres wide.
A second EF0 microburst was confirmed in Blenheim, where damage was reported to trees, homes and fences at about 1:55 a.m. EDT.
According to the Northern Tornadoes Project, “Damage to trees and minor damage to homes and fences was reported in Blenheim after a storm passed through the area. A ground survey by a private citizen was completed on behalf of NTP on June 12, 2026. Damage assessed as EF0 microburst, with an estimated max. wind speed of 125 km/h, with damage found over a limited area approximately 2.2 km long and up to 0.9 km wide. Start time is radar estimated. Satellite imagery review is pending.”
Investigators estimated maximum wind speeds of 125 kilometres per hour in Blenheim, where the damage area stretched about 2.2 kilometres in length and up to 0.9 kilometres in width.
The Northern Tornadoes Project, founded at Western University in 2017 with support from ImpactWX, studies severe weather events across Canada to improve tornado detection, advance understanding of extreme weather and help reduce the risks posed to people and property. The project operates under the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory, launched in 2024 by Western University and ImpactWX, and collaborates with academic institutions, weather organizations and emergency management agencies across the country.
