Experts confirm EF1 tornado impacted Wellesley in early-month storm

More details are being brought to light on a severe storm system that pushed through southern Ontario at the beginning of September, with the Northern Tornadoes Project (NTP) now confirming that an EF1 tornado touched down in Wellesley.

It comes after the region battled through torrential rain, gusting winds, and power outages, all as a result of the system that pushed through back on Sept. 2, with NTP stating that most of the impacts were seen from “about Bayfield to Cambridge.”

Now, a week after the storm made its way through the region, NTP has officially confirmed and rated a tornado that touched down in Wellesley Township, specifically in the Bamberg area.

“The tornado has been rated EF1 based on the results of a damage survey that included parts of a barn roof being removed and thrown,” NTP said in a statement.

“A brief tornado debris signature was also detected on radar.”

The rating, based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale), is a 6-point system used to rate tornadoes and their intensity, using the severity of damage seen from structures and vegetation to create a relation to the twister’s strength and severity.

RELATED:
‘Tornadoes likely occurred’ in Wellesley, Tavistock during midweek storm system
Recovery still ongoing from Wednesday’s severe storm system

“Damage to power poles, trees and a fabric-covered structure was reported in the Wellesley area after a storm passed through. No injuries were reported,” NTP stated.

“An NTP ground and drone survey was completed on September 6, 2026, documenting the reported damage along with roof damage to a barn and a home, crop damage and a converted refrigerated trailer moved from its original location.”

The team said it led to that EF1 rating, with estimated maximum wind speeds of up to 145 km/h, and a tornado track length of 6.11 km with a maximum path width of 490 metres.

This comes after NTP also confirmed two other tornadoes and a downburst around the Tavistock area, including an EF0 twister to the west and an EF1 tornado near Shakespeare, all produced during the same severe storm system.