It was not a tornado — rather a downburst.
At least that is the preliminary finding by Environment Canada after Sunday night’s thunderstorms uprooted trees and snapped power lines in the Rockford and Meaford areas.
Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Geoff Coulsen says they have come to that conclusion after talking to local residents.
Coulsen says they have also received photos showing the damage.
He notes says most of the trees ended up flat and towards the south – southeast, which leads them to believe it was a downburst that caused the damage.
A downburst is basically a big rush of air that comes down from a thunderstorm.
Coulsen says the wind speed in a downburst can reach tornado winds of 100 kilometres an hour so can create extensive damage.
Coulsen says they are still gathering information — but it’s unlikely investigators will make the trip to the region unless they find substantial structural damage.