Seven landspout tornadoes over 2 days in southern AB
The NTP has confirmed seven landspout tornadoes over two days in southern Alberta. Landspouts developed near Crestomere, Didsbury and Olds on May 17, while on May 18 landspouts occurred near Olds, Garfield, Gull Lake and Blackfalds. At least one additional report is still being investigated.
There was no reported damage with any of these tornadoes. Additional details are provided in the event summaries below, along with a regional map. The tornadoes can also be plotted on a map using the NTP Dashboard here.
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Event Name: Crestomere, AB
Date: May 17, 2026
Start Time: 5:10 PM MDT (2310 UTC)
Final Classification: Tornado (Over Land)
Preliminary EF-Scale Rating: EF0-Default
Estimated Tornado Location: 52.66N, 113.81W
Description: Witness captured video of a landspout tornado near Crestomere (west of Ponoka). No damage has been reported. The preliminary EF-Scale assessment is EF0-Default. Satellite imagery review is pending.
Event Name: Didsbury, AB
Date: May 17, 2026
Start Time: 5:29 PM MDT (2329 UTC)
Final Classification: Tornado (Over Land)
Preliminary EF-Scale Rating: EF0-Default
Estimated Tornado Location: 51.71N, 113.86W
Description: Witness captured video of a landspout tornado northeast of Didsbury. No damage has been reported. The preliminary EF-Scale assessment is EF0-Default. Satellite imagery review is pending.
Event Name: Olds, AB
Date: May 17, 2026
Start Time: 6:45 PM MDT (0045 UTC)
Final Classification: Tornado (Over Land)
Preliminary EF-Scale Rating: EF0-Default
Estimated Tornado Location: 51.74N, 113.93W
Description: Witness captured photos of a landspout tornado southeast of Olds. No damage has been reported. The preliminary EF-Scale assessment is EF0-Default. Satellite imagery review is pending.
Event Name: Olds, AB
Date: May 18, 2026
Start Time: 12:50 PM MDT (1850 UTC)
Final Classification: Tornado (Over Land)
Preliminary EF-Scale Rating: EF0-Default
Estimated Tornado Location: 51.785N, 114.160W
Description: Witnesses captured video and photos of a landspout tornado southwest of Olds. No damage has been reported. The preliminary EF-Scale assessment is EF0-Default. Satellite imagery review is pending.
Event Name: Garfield, AB
Date: May 18, 2026
Start Time: 5:15 PM MDT (2315 UTC)
Final Classification: Tornado (Over Land)
Preliminary EF-Scale Rating: EF0-Default
Estimated Tornado Location: 51.57N, 114.34W
Description: Witness captured video and a photo of a landspout tornado near Garfield (west of Carstairs). No damage has been reported. The preliminary EF-Scale assessment is EF0-Default. Satellite imagery review is pending.
Event Name: Gull Lake, AB
Date: May 18, 2026
Start Time: 5:15 PM MDT (2315 UTC)
Final Classification: Tornado (Over Land)
Preliminary EF-Scale Rating: EF0-Default
Estimated Tornado Location: 52.61N, 113.80W
Description: Witness captured video of a landspout tornado east of Gull Lake. No damage has been reported. The preliminary EF-Scale assessment is EF0-Default. Satellite imagery review is pending.
Event Name: Blackfalds, AB
Date: May 18, 2026
Start Time: 5:21 PM MDT (2321 UTC)
Final Classification: Tornado (Over Land)
Preliminary EF-Scale Rating: EF0-Default
Estimated Tornado Location: 52.43N, 113.81W
Description: Witness captured video of a landspout tornado north of Blackfalds. No damage has been reported. The preliminary EF-Scale assessment is EF0-Default. Satellite imagery review is pending.
Regional map showing the locations of the seven landspouts in southern Alberta.
