Prairie heat dome triggers tornado warnings and record heat alerts across Canada

Environment Canada issued a tornado warning on July 11 for a severe thunderstorm near Salt Point in Manitoba, urging residents to seek shelter. The agency also warned that the storm could produce damaging winds, large hail and heavy rain.

A heat wave across the Canadian Prairies fueled a record‑tying ten tornadoes in Saskatchewan, matching a one‑day provincial record. No injuries or deaths were reported, though some towns suffered damage. Heat warnings and orange‑level alerts were issued for southern Saskatchewan, Manitoba and parts of north‑western Ontario, with humidex values expected to reach the mid‑40s.

Separate heat warnings were posted for Chatham‑Kent, Ottawa and surrounding areas of eastern Ontario and western Quebec, forecasting daytime highs up to 36 °C and heat‑index values above 100 °F. Officials advised residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity and use air‑conditioned shelters.

Meteorologists noted a heat dome over the north‑central United States is pushing extreme temperatures and humidex values toward all‑time records in southern Manitoba and Saskatchewan. The same ridge is sustaining the risk of severe thunderstorms, hail and strong winds across the Prairies through the week.