A powerful supercell storm swept through Ste. Anne, Manitoba, on June 9, 2026, bringing a confirmed tornado, large hail, and intense winds that left the community reeling. Environment Canada and the Northern Tornadoes Project verified the tornado touched down near Ste. Anne based on photos and videos from witnesses, while residents documented the dramatic weather on social media.
The storm featured what Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor called “super intense precipitation” with unusual staying power for Manitoba thunderstorms. Towering, rotating clouds hovered over the area, and hail as large as grapefruits was reported in nearby Otterburne, with tennis ball-sized stones in other parts of the region.
Tornado warnings were in place for the Rural Municipality of Ste. Anne during the storm, including the community of Richer. The confirmed twister near Ste. Anne was one of at least two tornadoes confirmed in southern Manitoba, with a second confirmed near Dufrost. The Northern Tornadoes Project is still investigating additional reports near Grunthal, Morris, and Otterburne. No Enhanced Fujita rating has been assigned yet as damage surveys continue.
The storm knocked out power to more than 25,000 Manitoba Hydro customers at its peak, with nearly 17,000 outages in Winnipeg alone. Manitoba Hydro called it one of the worst summer storm impacts in recent memory. Vehicle damage was also extensive: Manitoba Public Insurance received nearly 11,000 claims within 24 hours, a number expected to climb and potentially make this the crown corporation’s largest-ever claim event.
Local residents are encouraged to review safety information as emergency officials continue to monitor conditions. The storm serves as a reminder of how quickly severe weather can develop in the region during the summer months.
