Northwestern Ontario Storm Damage Tracker 2026

Severe weather hits Thunder Bay from every direction off Lake Superior. We log the storms and snow events that damage roofs so homeowners, reporters, and insurers have one sourced record to point to.

Last updated July 21, 2026

A running log of severe weather events that affect roofs across Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. Each entry lists the date, the type of event, the communities in the path, measured wind, snow, or temperature where reported, and a link to the source. Some entries are Environment Canada warnings that describe the forecast hazard rather than a confirmed damage total. Entry-by-entry logging for the region begins in 2026; we add events as they are reported and sourced.

Confirmed damage Environment Canada warning

Event log

July 20, 2026 Environment Canada watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch + Wildfire Smoke

Affected areas Thunder Bay

west 50 km/h, gusting to 70 km/h Wind
51 km/h Measured gust (Thunder Bay CS station)
14.3 mm Measured precipitation (Thunder Bay CS station)
reduced to 5 km Visibility (smoke)
35 Humidex

Thunder Bay sat under a severe thunderstorm watch and an air quality warning at the same time. Storms were capable of sudden heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and strong gusts, while wildfire smoke cut visibility across the city. Residents were advised to secure loose outdoor objects.

Source: NetNewsLedger

July 12, 2026 Environment Canada warning

Severe Thunderstorm

Affected areas Thunder Bay, Cloud Bay-Dorion, Sleeping Giant Provincial Park

up to 90 km/h Wind gusts
up to quarter size Hail
15-50 mm Rain

Environment Canada tracked a severe thunderstorm moving east at 50 km/h from the Boulevard Lake area, capable of 90 km/h gusts, quarter-size hail, and up to 50 mm of rain. Hail of that size can dent or crack shingles and vents even when no other damage is visible from the ground.

Source: Your ThunderBay

July 6, 2026 Confirmed damage

Violent Storm with Tornado Warnings

Affected areas Kenora, Dryden, Bergland, Morson, Highway 17 corridor

94 mm in a short period Rain (Kenora)
56 mm Rain (Rawson Lake)
4,200+ (Hydro One) Customers without power

A violent storm triggered red-coded tornado warnings for Kenora and Dryden, dropped nearly 10 cm of rain on Kenora, and flooded roads across the city. More than 4,200 Hydro One customers lost power along the Highway 17 corridor, and downed and damaged trees were reported in the Bergland area. The Northern Tornadoes Project sent a team to assess whether tornadoes touched down.

Source: NWONewsWatch

June 4, 2026 Environment Canada watch

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Affected areas Thunder Bay

up to 90 km/h Wind gusts
up to toonie size Hail

Thunder Bay was placed under a severe thunderstorm watch with conditions favourable for 90 km/h gusts and toonie-size hail. Local utility outages were possible if storms strengthened. Hail at this size is large enough to bruise asphalt shingles and dent metal roofing and flashing.

Source: NetNewsLedger

Storm or snow-load damage to your roof?

Act fast. Water that gets past damaged shingles can spread into the deck, attic, and ceilings within days, and snow load can stress a roof through a long winter. Take photos before any cleanup, then call for an emergency tarp and inspection. We can also walk you through the insurance claim process.

Emergency Roof Repair Snow Load Guide

Severe weather is getting costlier across Canada

Event-by-event logging for Northwestern Ontario on this page begins in 2026. For longer-term context, insured damage from severe weather across Canada has climbed sharply, which is the trend driving higher claims and premiums everywhere, including the North.

2001-2010 yearly average $701M

2016 (previous record) $6.0B

2024 (new record) $8.55B

Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada

Thunder Bay weather, by the numbers

150+ cm Average yearly snowfall (Thunder Bay)

December to February Coldest months

Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada

Thunder Bay Roofing Statistics Book a roof inspection Roof repair services Thunder Bay service areas

Cite this page

Journalists, bloggers, and researchers are welcome to cite this page. Copy a ready-made citation below, or reach out for comment and the source data behind any figure.

APA

Sleeping Giant Roofing. (2026). Northwestern Ontario Storm Damage Tracker 2026. Retrieved July 21, 2026, from https://sleepinggiantroofing.ca/northwestern-ontario-storm-damage-tracker/

MLA

"Northwestern Ontario Storm Damage Tracker 2026." Sleeping Giant Roofing, 21 July 2026, https://sleepinggiantroofing.ca/northwestern-ontario-storm-damage-tracker/.

Plain link

Northwestern Ontario Storm Damage Tracker 2026. Sleeping Giant Roofing. https://sleepinggiantroofing.ca/northwestern-ontario-storm-damage-tracker/

Media and press inquiries: info@sleepinggiantroofing.ca