Alberta tornado: Storm chaser captures twister’s path of destruction

Close-up footage of a tornado forming and ripping through the Mountain View County area near Didsbury, Alta. was recorded by storm chaser Aaron Jayjack on Saturday.

Jayjack captured the initial funneling of the clouds which quickly formed into a massive tornado. He followed the windstorm as it tore through fields and hit a number of houses along the way.

#GlobalNews #Tornado #StormChasers

[lancemorin]

Ive seen thousands of Storm chaser videos, and none so up close and personal with one of the most destructive forces of nature I've ever seen. Great work gentlemen, for your bravery, despite what things that could actually go wrong.

[nomadpi]

As a life-long resident of Oklahoma's "storm alley, " I have seen several tornadoes form, descend to Earth, and roar through the countryside. I never knew that Canada had experience with tornadoes. Seeing the white vortex falling to Earth, then the dirt and wreckage spewing about still gives me awe. Some of my earliest memories are of my mother snatching me from bed, wrapping me in a quilt, and carrying me next door to the neighbor's storm-cellar. After the storm's passing, the wet scent of Mimosa blossoms, the scent of rain, and the nearly cold summer night's air with lightning flashing all crowd my childhood's summer memories.I too have stopped and yelled "Hello" in empty silence where a country grocery store stood and the swept-clean house's foundations stand. In the early 1950s, my father and I watched a tornado lift a wheat gleaning machine into the sky and carry it to another field. In such instances, the word "God" isn't an empty expression; it's the human wish for protection from nature's destruction.

[dukelorange]

From someone in Saskatchewan my heart goes out to my fellow Canadians what a crappy Canada day

[henrystafford]

That’s amazing. You’ve recorded a part of Albertan history for the record books.👌

[TinTinner]

Excellent footage. Thanks for sharing your video - I hope you are alright and I certainly hope the families affected by the touchdown of the tornado are all ok.

[DeannaGilbert]

I'm a weather forecaster who has worked on the Alberta Hail Suppression Project. It's hard for me to express how astoundingly powerful of a tornado that is, especially for Alberta. I'd made a comment to a co-worker when I came onshift for the company I work for, and commented how severe of a right turn that storm took. It wasn't even that strong of a storm, but the low level shear must have been mind blowing.

[TGCreaTion]

As stupid as this may be, going to those farms to see if anyone needed help was very brave and selfless - good on you, Aaron.

[betts_simone]

my mom's home town, my aunt still lives there. Awaiting news, my heart goes out to all who were impacted.

[dixonpinfold]

That cat 5 seconds from the end was your thumbnail and you missed it, Global.

[magsmags]

Totally, amazing, award-winning footage. Kudos

[pex_the_unalivedrunk]

Notice around 1:40 the tornado which was moving from right to left, appeared to stop moving or slow down....that means it was shifting direction towards the camera. If a tornado appears to not be moving, it's headed towards you. Also, very dangerous to go check for survivors with power lines down, stay away from the lines and and tell anyone coming out from the rubble to not approach the power lines. In many cases, you cannot do much to help survivors, because the tornado is rain wrapped, potential satellite tornados, and there's lots of dangerous lightning. In those cases, they should stay put until it's safe to come out from cover(unless someone is seriously injured and require immediate medical attention). A naked tornado like this is a rare occurrence indeed...absolutely amazing footage.

[aj]

Best video I've ever seen of a tornado forming! Fantastic work and thank you for your bravery!

[VillainsGames]

1:20 buddy drove up to it like Bill Paxton in twister

[terryjuliehutchison]

Most amazing footage I have ever seen. Pray all victims survived.

[TheLitehart]

Thanks for sharing this awesome footage! Hoping there were no casualties from this hit. Can see the houses & trees took a beating though. I'm ambivalent about storm chasers; half of me admires their guts but the other half says 'are you nuts???'

[carcar]

Bravo making Global News! It was one of the very best ridealongs on your Youtube channel.

[gordonanderson]

Wow wow wow - best tornado footage... ever.
AND I have been in a few large twisters, on a boat, it was the '60's'
Thank you for your, rather crazy, service.

[kellypatterson]

Poor kitty. That must have been terrifying. 😢

[txlady]

I'm just an amateur tornado watcher, and have been in several tornadoes in my lifetime. This video is incredible. Watching the way the air moved around the base of the tornado was mesmerizing. Thanks to all the storm watchers who do this, gathering information to increase the accuracy of forecasting these damaging storms. And thanks for caring for the people affected -- I can't imagine how it feels to have this happen to your property.

[howesrenny]

Thank you for sharing your video. I sincerely hope you're safe, and my thoughts go out to the families impacted by the tornado's touchdown.