Laura MacNeil has been organizing tours along the shores of Vernon Bridge in P.E.I. for the past six years. While her usual tours focus on the Island’s fossil sites and ancient history, the group had a unique experience on Saturday morning.
Dark clouds on the horizon prompted them to hurry back to avoid an impending downpour. During their return trip, as they passed a cliff, MacNeil spotted a waterspout in the distance. Shortly after it disappeared, a second waterspout emerged further out, approximately one to two kilometers from the shore.
MacNeil expressed her excitement at witnessing the natural phenomenon, describing it as a thrilling experience. The Northern Tornadoes Project, a research group monitoring severe weather nationwide, confirmed that the event was indeed a tornado, classified as a waterspout since it formed over water.
The tornado was rated as “EF0-Default” on the Enhanced Fujita scale, indicating no structural damage occurred. Dave Sills, the director of the Northern Tornadoes Project, mentioned that while they aim to track all tornadoes in Canada, detecting weaker tornadoes like this one relies on luck.
CBC meteorologist Jay Scotland highlighted the distinction between conventional tornadoes and waterspouts, noting that the latter are typically less intense and short-lived. Witness Josh Coles observed the tornado while driving between Belfast and Orwell, marveling at its growth and eventual disappearance.
Laura MacNeil, reflecting on the event, recalled seeing waterspouts off P.E.I.’s south shore two decades ago, but this recent sighting was much closer. Reviewing her footage, she marveled at the proximity of the twin funnels, describing the experience as one of the most remarkable tours she has conducted.