iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Northern Hail Project

Northern Mesonet Project @westernunmp.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

We're excited to introduce CSSL Weather Intelligence - the next generation of (and new name for) the Canadian Mesonet Portal. weather.cssl.ca brings together weather observations, numerical weather models, radar, satellite, and historical event data in a single platform.

1147

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

We are also aware of multiple injuries associated with this storm S of Red Deer's Gasoline Alley, and hope for a speedy recovery for those hurt in this event. Please send or forward any reports of damage you may encounter, as well as any video or imagery of the hailstorm itself. 2/2

032

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

**Survey Announcement** Significant hail damage to homes and vehicles has been reported in and around Springbrook, Alberta from a storm on Sunday, Aug 23. The Northern Hail Project plans to conduct a ground survey of hail impacts in the community this Thursday (Aug 27). 1/2

132

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Please forward any damage reports as well as any hailstorm images or video you may have seen from the area in and around the community, and get in touch if you know anyone who might have saved hailstones in their freezers! @cssl.ca 2/2

010

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

**Survey Announcement** Due to multiple reports of significant hail damage to homes and vehicles in Claresholm, Alberta from the storm on Tuesday, Aug 11, the Northern Hail Project will be conducting a ground and drone survey of hail impacts in the community this Friday (Aug 14). 1/2

120

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Please let us know if you have any hail damage reports from today! Many thanks to @westernuntp.bsky.social intern Katriel Waldner and the @cssl.ca's Dr. Christoph Gatzen for your reports and images! 2/2

020

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

**Storm Report: Just after 1 PM today, a storm affecting northern portions of London ON produced large hail, w/ one oddly shaped specimen reaching 51 mm in maximum diameter. A quick inspection of these areas, however, revealed only minor tree damage (leaf shredding) and damage to local gardens. 1/2

130

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

At: 220 Saint George's Drive Northeast, Calgary, AB T2E 5T2 When: Thursday, July 16, 2026, 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM MT Please join our field operations team and the good folks from the HRIN to learn about hail science and hail impacts. Full details provided here: www.facebook.com/share/1E3xW7... 2/3

120

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

**Important Announcement** This Thursday, July 16th, the Northern Hail Project (NHP), along with members of the City of Calgary led Hail Resilience Improvement Network (HRIN), will be running a special series of exhibits and demonstrations on all things #hail at the TELUS Spark Science Centre! 1/3

Three photo banner showing (left) gloved hands holding several real hailstones collected by the NHP field team, (center) two storm pursuit vehicles - white and green Ford Explorers, both with Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory Northern Hail Project decals - with Field Coordinator and intern standing in between the vehicles, (right) NHP intern explaining hail science to a young family.

152

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

NHP Field Operations - Mission Today - July 16, 2026 NHP Field Teams have deployed to areas E of Calgary today (June 16) in anticipation of the potential for damaging, wind-driven hail. #abstorm If it is safe to do so, please send us any damage/hail reports you may encounter from today's storms!

072

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

As always, please send us your reports of large and damaging hail and flash flooding! @ntp-reports.bsky.social @westernunmp.bsky.social @cssl.ca 2/2

041

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

**First Update** Ongoing Hail and Extreme Rainfall Damage Surveys for June 6-9 Outbreak Sequence MB and SK Our survey teams have been busy documenting hail and extreme rainfall impacts from last week's storms. Detailed press release can be found here: www.facebook.com/share/p/1JZY... 1/2

162

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Please forward us any reports you may have of hail and flash flooding damage, including and especially if you have saved samples of large hail in your home freezers! For collection, reporting and storage advice, please see the attached infographic. (3/3) @westernuntp.bsky.social @cssl.ca

040

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

A damage survey began today for a wind-driven hail event that tracked from Fairlight, SK to NE of Brandon, MB on June 6th. Additional hail damage from June 7 and 9 will be assessed in the coming days, followed by visits to flash flooding sites. (2/3)

140

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

**Survey Announcement** #MBstorm #SKStorm Several CSSL survey teams are currently conducting assessments of wind, hail, and flash flood impacts from the multi-day series of storms that have affected large swaths of Manitoba and Saskatchewan June 6th through June 9th (1/3)

153

Reposted by Northern Hail Project

Dylan Painchaud-Niemi @dylanpniemi.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

With today's severe weather threat and the possibility of large hail in SE SK and SW MB, I'd like to encourage everyone to measure any hail they may find. First and foremost, only do so when it's safe and take cover when severe weather approaches. (1/2) #skstorm #mbstorm

162

Reposted by Northern Hail Project

Dylan Painchaud-Niemi @dylanpniemi.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

This helps both the forecasters at ECCC with weather warnings and the Northern Hail Project. Please store any large or giant hail you may find using the steps provided in the infographic and contact the NHP. (2/2) @westernunhp.bsky.social

142

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

**Severe Weather Outbreak Expected Today** #skstorm #mbstorm During today's events, if it is safe to do so, we are very interested in getting your hail reports. The attached infographics provide guidance on how to report and store hail. Stay safe out there today everyone!

Guide to reporting hail - when it is safe - take an overhead photo with a reference object (e.g., coins); do not hold hail in hands, it will melt even more quickly! Use a ruler, golf ball, baseball, etc., for reference a object if coins are not available; weigh the hail on a kitchen scale; provide information on where and when the hail occurred.

Guide to collecting and preserving hail - collect and carry hail when it is safe do do so - preferably with insulating gloves such as oven mitts to prevent melting; measure the longest axis and, if there's time, middle and shortest axes as well; weigh the hail on a kitchen scale if there's time; to store hail, place it in plastic freezer bags with as much air removed as possible, and store in a freezer kept at -10C or colder.

1112

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Julia is the *first* in a line of NHP graduate students joining the ranks of Canada's next generation of severe weather scientists. We wish Julia all the very the best and look forward to her continued and future contributions to hail science! @cssl.ca 2/2

063

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

**Important Announcement!** Today, we congratulate NHP graduate student Julia Finlayson on the successful defense of her master's thesis, entitled "Development of a Low-Cost, Novel Piezoresistive Polymer Hail Sensor" under the supervision of Drs. Gregory Kopp and Julian Brimelow. 1/2

Julia standing proudly in front of opening slide of her master's thesis defense presentation with supervisors Dr. Greg Kopp and Dr. Julian Brimelow.

172

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 20/03/2026

*Survey Announcement* Due to the rare nature of last week's hail event, researchers from the NHP & NTP will be conducting a damage survey tomorrow (March 21) of the region S and SW of Hopeville. Please let us know if you have any damage reports or other info! #onstorm @westernuntp.bsky.social

072

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

This exceeds the two previous largest hail reports for March, tied at 40 mm ("ping pong" hail) from: a) Niagara-on-the-Lake (March 24, 2021), and b) Sault-Ste Marie (March 27, 1989). This is also only the second time severe (>25 mm) hail has been recorded in Ontario in March since 2016. 2/2

041

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

**Follow-Up** March 11 Hail Event #Onstorm: A review of available historical data indicates that hail reported in the Hopeville area is the *largest* on record in March for both Ontario and Canada as a whole. Imagery from this event shows hail of at least 42 mm, poss exceeding 45 mm. 1/2

253

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Smaller hail was also reported in GTA and Goderich. NHP is reviewing reports and will be comparing these to the historical record. 2/2

020

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 11/03/2026

Seeking Hail & Damage Reports #ONstorm: At around 1 am, a hailstorm tracked NE of Mount Forest (see MRMS MESH below), with reports of hail over 40 mm in diameter and some vehicle damage (cracked windshield). Investigation is ongoing. Please forward any information you may have on this event! 1/2

162

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

**Big Announcement** The first CSSL Annual Report for the 2025 storm season is out! Updates on the NHP, NTP, and NMP's activities are now all in one convenient report. 👇👇👇Please see the link in the post below 👇👇👇 @westernuntp.bsky.social @westernunmp.bsky.social @cssl.ca

031

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Preliminary data searches do not reveal any winter hail reports prior to 2016, nor any winter reports from any other Canadian provinces. #onstorm Many thanks to @ontariowedges.bsky.social for forwarding so much info! As always, please forward any info you see so we can hear about it! 3/3

061

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

While hail during winter in Canada is very rare, it is not completely unprecedented... storms affecting parts of S Ontario on Jan 9, 2016 and Feb 27, 2024 produced severe sized (>25 mm) hail, with max diameters of 40 mm & 28 mm, respectively. 2/3

151

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

**Winter Hail in SW Ontario!** We have received numerous hail reports from last night's (Feb 18) thunderstorms in SW Ontario, w/ the largest est hail size from the Brigden area at ~24 mm. Hail reported in several other locations (London, St Thomas, Strathroy) was generally smaller ~5 to 10 mm. 1/3

152

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Thanks, Mike, stellar report curation as always! Looks like the MESH algorithm was running low yesterday, so I'm not surprised the biggest cell produced some ~25 mm stones when MRMS MESH was saying 15-20 mm.

000

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

*CSSL Summer Internship - Applications Closing Soon* For those still interested in applying to the CSSL summer internship program, you still have until Monday, January 26, to get your applications in! Details and application forms located here: www.uwo.ca/cssl/interns...

053

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

*Important announcement!* CSSL Summer Internship Program applications are now live! Spend the summer chasing hailstorms, documenting tornado impacts, and contributing to world-class storms research. Details and applications located here: uwo.ca/cssl/interns... Applications close January 26th.

054

Reposted by Northern Hail Project

Canadian Severe Storms Lab @cssl.ca · 01/12/2025

Dive into real-world research and fieldwork with the CSSL Summer Internship Program! Learn more and apply here: uwo.ca/cssl/interns... Don't miss your chance to gain hands-on experience with leading tornado and hail experts in the field. Applications close on January 26th.

0115

Reposted by Northern Hail Project

Northern Tornadoes Project 🇨🇦 @westernuntp.bsky.social · 01/12/2025

032

Reposted by Northern Hail Project

Northern Tornadoes Project 🇨🇦 @westernuntp.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

The CSSL/NTP assisted the US National Weather Service (NWS) with their upgrading of the official rating of the June 2025 Enderlin, ND tornado from EF3 to EF5. Announced by the NWS today, it’s the first EF5-rated tornado in the US since 2013. Details here: uwo.ca/ntp/blog/202... Image B. Emfinger

Drone photo courtesy Brian Emfinger and used with permission.

35124

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

**Damage Survey Announcement: Following an extreme rainfall event and resulting flash flooding across SE Manitoba on Sept 11 & 12, a CSSL damage survey team will be conducting an assessment of the event's impacts. Please let us know if you have any rainfall and/or damage reports! #mbstorm @cssl.ca

043

Reposted by Northern Hail Project

Western University @westernu.ca · 11/08/2025

“Scientists-turned-storm chasers” are tracking down Alberta hail storms to better understand how to protect against them. Researchers from the Canadian Severe Storms Laboratory ( @cssl.ca ) at #WesternU spoke with the @theglobeandmail.com about the Northern Hail Project.

buff.ly

In Alberta’s ‘Hailstorm Alley,’ scientists-turned-storm-chasers look into the eye of the storm for answers

Researchers from Western University aim to use data from hard-hit areas to help Canada better understand – and protect against – dangerous and costly hail damage

094

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

**Damage Survey Announcement #abstorm: Yesterday (July 27) a major hailstorm tracked from W of Twin Butte, through Cardston, E to the Shanks Lake area. An NHP damage survey team will begin data collection tomorrow. Please forward us any information you may have on this event!

Image of map showing radar estimated extent of hailstorm swath through southern Alberta, beginning west of Twin Butte and tracking east-southeast through Cardston and areas to the south, continuing further east-southeast over and past Shanks Lake. Large areas with estimates over 50 mm max diameter, with several areas west of and over Shanks Lake with estimate maximum diameters of 75 mm.

083

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

**Seeking Hail Reports: Calgary was affected by a potentially damaging hailstorm this evening (July 13) between 7:45 & 8:15 PM MT, tracking SE from the NW corner of the city to S of Chestermere. Please send us your hail and hail damage reports, and if you can, save some samples! #abstorm #Calgary

Infographic indicating steps to collect scientifically accurate hail data: 1) take a photo of the hail with a reference object of known size; 2) Bag the hail in a plastic, sealable bag, removing as much air as possible; 3) Label the bag with critical information (date/time of collection, location of collection site).

073

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

**Survey Announcement: The CSSL’s Winnipeg team is conducting a damage survey of hail impacts in the Reston area following a major storm on the evening of July 3rd with radar estimated hail larger than baseballs (see MRMS MESH below). Let us know if you have any information on this storm! #MBstorm

Radar product showing heat map with estimated maximum hailstone sizes. Swath of estimate 50 mm or larger hail from north of Redvers, Saskatchewan to southwest of Hartney, Manitoba.

041

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

**Survey Announcement: Yesterday (July 9), NHP Field Ops intercepted a damaging thunderstorm near the communities of Acme & Carbon, AB. A damage survey of the combined impacts of wind & hail in the area will be conducted later today. Let us know if you have any information on this storm! #abstorm

A field of canola flattened by the recent hail storm, with ground between destroyed plants still covered in hailstones.

0104

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

These platforms, Super Mobile Hail Observatories (SuMHOs), will be deployed by members of the NHP field team across the US plains during the #ICECHIP field campaign. ICECHIP endeavours to improve radar-based #hail detection, hail models and forecasting, and hail warnings. @nsficechip.bsky.social

083

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 13/05/2025

The NHP has been busy preparing for field operations, both at home and abroad! For the #ICECHIP field campaign, the NHP and Western's UMS designed and built 4 platforms which collect and preserve hailstones, capture high-speed video of falling #hail, and measure hail fall speed with a small radar.

1104

Northern Hail Project @westernunhp.bsky.social · 15/03/2025

The Northern Hail Project is now active on Bluesky! Through our new Bluesky accounts, we hope to continue to engage with experts, citizen scientists, and other stakeholders to build on our knowledge and understanding of damaging hail across Canada.

051