Alberta municipality

Tornadoes in Edmonton

Edmonton carries Canada's heaviest tornado scar — the 1987 Black Friday F4 killed 27 people here. Here is Edmonton's tornado history and what residents should know.

The local risk

Central Alberta sees Plains-style supercells when Gulf-like moisture pools against the foothills.
The 1987 F4 tracked 40 km along the city's eastern edge.
Strathcona County and the industrial east side were hardest hit in 1987.
Peak months: July-August.
Modern radar coverage and Alert Ready blanket the metro.

Notable events affecting the area

July 31, 1987 "Black Friday" F4 — 27 dead, 15 at Evergreen Mobile Home Park. Canada's second-deadliest tornado.
2007+ NTP-confirmed events — weak tornadoes in surrounding counties most years.
Central Alberta supercell days — several per summer with hail and funnel reports.

How warnings reach you here

Environment Canada issues tornado watches and warnings for this region.
Alert Ready pushes warnings to every compatible cell phone — no signup needed.
The Northern Tornadoes Project (Western University) surveys and confirms events after the fact.
WeatherCAN app (Environment Canada) provides location-based alerts.
Local radio and TV carry Environment Canada warnings.

Preparedness for this area

Black Friday created Alberta's emergency alert system — honor it by keeping alerts on.
Mobile home residents: identify a sturdier shelter now; Evergreen was the deadliest single site in 1987.
Basement shelter within 60 seconds.
Summer long weekends are historically when Alberta gets hit — don't unplug from weather on holidays.
72-hour kit for post-storm power loss.

The Canadian context

Canada averages 60-100 confirmed tornadoes per year — second only to the US.
True count is likely higher; the Northern Tornadoes Project keeps finding missed events in forests and sparsely-populated areas.
Canada's only F5: Elie, Manitoba (2007).
Deadliest: Regina 1912 (28 dead).
Basements are near-universal in Canadian housing — a major survival advantage.

Learn more