Ontario faces severe storms Wednesday with damaging winds, heavy rain, and tornado risk

THE TAKEAWAY: Severe storms and flash flooding will impact the Upper Midwest and Central Plains through the weekend. Large hail, damaging winds and heavy rain are all primary concerns of these storms. A Level 2 out of 5 is in place across parts of Kansas and Oklahoma on Saturday. As fall weather approaches, severe storms and flash flooding are impacting the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains through the weekend, bringing damaging winds, large hail and heavy rainfall to millions of people. SEVERAL DAYS OF HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS TO PERSIST ACROSS THE GULF COASTThis comes as stronger temperature gradients fuel a stronger and more southerly jet stream, bringing more fall-like air across the North along with periods of storms and rain. Severe storms fire up tornado in Minnesota Severe storms were firing up across the Midwest on Friday night. FOX Weather Exclusive Storm Tracker Corey Gerken captured incredible video of a crazy-looking tornado in Minnesota. Severe storms rolled through northern portions of the Upper Midwest on Friday, which was the first blast of stormy weather for the region which will last into the middle of next week, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

This Day In Weather History is a daily podcast by The Weather Network that features stories about people, communities, and events and how weather impacted them.--On Saturday, September 7, 1991, Calgary, Alberta, was battered with tennis ball-sized hail. The hailstorm triggered 62,000 insurance claims that added up to $342 million. Alberta isn't a stranger to strong storms and icy precipitation. Southern and central areas of Alberta are known as "Hailstorm Alley. " Aggressive storms can produce huge hailstones that often damage property. Courtesy of TWNThe hail usually falls from High River to Red Deer and Lacombe to Rocky Mountain House. This stretch of Alberta produces some of the most intense and damaging hail in the world. Calgary is known as the "hailstorm capital of Canada. "Content continues belowAt the time, the 1991 event was the most damaging hailstorm in Canadian history, but it has since been surpassed.

Hawaii has been hit by hurricanes before, and one of its main islands has arguably taken the hardest hits since it became the 50th state. How often do they happen? According to NOAA's historical database, only eight hurricanes have tracked within 70 miles of the Big Island, Maui, Oahu or Kauai since 1959. The last to do so was in late August 2026, when Hurricane Lala brought destructive floods and winds to the Big Island and a few other locations in the chain. (MORE: Hurricane season tracker | Hurricane Lowell's forecast)On average, four to five tropical storms or hurricanes occur in the Central Pacific Ocean basin — defined as longitude between 140-180 degrees west — each year. This map shows the tracks of all hurricanes that have tracked within 70 miles of Hawaii's main island chain from 1959 through August 2026's Hurricane Lala. Those that hit Kauai are highlighted and labeled.(Data: NOAA/NHC)One island hit hardestWhile several of these hurricanes have brought flooding rain and winds to the Big Island, the map above shows three of those tracks struck the westernmost main island of Kauai.

After a stormy Saturday across parts of the Prairies, there will be a renewed threat for severe storms to develop throughout Sunday. In fact, multiple rounds of hazardous weather is expected from the morning to the evening in parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Be sure to monitor the radar if you’ve got plans through Sunday night, and stay aware of potential watches and warnings in your area. DON’T MISS: What is a mesoscale convective system? How an 'MCS' can spell dangerSevere weather likely in multiple rounds on SundayMoisture and instability streaming over the Prairies to end the weekend will bring a fresh threat for strong to severe thunderstorms across the region. The greatest concern will exist in southern Saskatchewan into southern Manitoba, including areas around Regina and Brandon. A low over southern Saskatchewan is producing showers and thunderstorms through the morning and afternoon. Multiple rounds are expected on Sunday, with stronger storms pushing into southeastern Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba. Content continues belowFavourable dynamics like CAPE are providing an environment for a potent, late-season severe weather risk.

A stormy Saturday spawned very large hail and rotation across parts of the Prairies. We’ll see a renewed threat for severe storms develop throughout Sunday, with multiple rounds of hazardous weather expected. Be sure to monitor the radar if you’ve got plans through Sunday night, and stay aware of potential watches and warnings in your area. DON’T MISS: What is a mesoscale convective system? How an 'MCS' can spell dangerMoisture and instability streaming over the Prairies to end the weekend will bring a fresh threat for strong to severe thunderstorms across the region. The greatest concern will exist in southern Saskatchewan into southern Manitoba, including areas around Regina and Brandon. Sunday will start with morning thunderstorms across central Saskatchewan. These cells should remain non-severe, but downpours and small hail are possible. Content continues belowStorms will organize and tap into higher instability over eastern Saskatchewan by Sunday afternoon, quickly developing into one or more lines as a low-pressure system develops near the international border. This activity will increase the potential for damaging winds and large hail in southeastern Saskatchewan.

When word comes out about a destructive tornado, many would immediately look to a location somewhere in North America. But on Monday, southern France was the site of a damaging tornado, a rare intensity for the region--captured in videos and photos by onlookers, and posted to social media. While no injuries have been reported, several homes incurred damage and thousands are without power, according to local media accounts. As well, multiple roads were reportedly closed due to fallen trees and to allow for easier access for emergency services. Early reports and social media videos put the tornado location south of Carcassonne, France, in the Limoux-Pomas-Couffoulens corridor, during late-Monday afternoon. Significant damage to homes was reported, but results of a formal damage survey and intensity rating is still to be released. Content continues belowThe twister was created by a rotating supercell ahead of a broad complex of thunderstorms crossing Occitanie. While France records tornadoes every year, a mature, damaging supercell tornado of this intensity is rare.