“Stormchaser” hits Dufferin Museum on Saturday

April 16, 2016 · 0 Comments

“Stormchaser” Mark Robinson, a Toronto-based meteorologist and severe weather expert, will come to Dufferin County Museum and archives (DCMA) to talk about weather events and why they occur.

As an expert documenting and investigating severe weather throughout North America for almost 10 years, Mark has also become an educator.

On April 16 at 2 p.m., he will share stories of Dufferin’s wild weather supported by video footage and historical photographs.

Mr. Robinson is the star of The Weather Network’s Storm Chaser “Storm Seekers, Chasers & Weather Geeks.”

He has also contributed to and been interviewed by the Toronto Star, CBC, City TV News, and MSNBC for his expert advice and knowledge.

“Dufferin has a long history of severe weather which has resulted in tornado damage, floods, high winds and closed roads,” says DCMA promotions coordinator Nanci Malek. “Everyone in Dufferin County has to deal with the repercussions of our local weather. Whether snow squalls, wild winds, flooding or even extreme temperatures, Dufferin County folk might be a tad curious for the reasons behind it.”

Mark Robinson, she says, will explain why.

Mr. Robinson says he has “been chasing storms in Ontario since 2000 and Dufferin is one of my favourite areas to chase in.”

He says that is because “Dufferin is a hotspot for thunderstorms and tornadoes.”

In 1996, when one of the earliest in the year, and most damaging tornado outbreaks in Ontario, occurred, “Dufferin County was the epicentre,” says Mark.

Mr. Robinson says this was one of the events that got him interested in tornadoes, but, for him, “it’s the winter storms that are the real draw.”

For tornadoes, Mr. Robinson says Dufferin County has a couple of draws, including wide open spaces with rolling hills and lake breezes.

“Southern Ontario is somewhat unique as it is surrounded by the Great Lakes,” he says. “These huge bodies of water create their own weather systems as the cold air over the lakes sweeps inland creating a circulation that can supercharge thunderstorms.

“The edge of the circulation tends to park itself over Dufferin County and this means that thunderstorms in the County can get really bad.”

Mark’s visit is “good timing”, says Ms. Malek, considering the ice storm the County and much of southern Ontario has just come through.

RSVP by phone: 877.941.7787 or email: info@dufferinmuseum.com. Cost: $15.00 / DCMA Members: $10.00

By Marni Walsh