Alert archive / Utah / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 76, NWS Salt Lake City, UT

July 31, 2021Kane County, Washington County, Utah

NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued this flash flood warning at Jul 31, 2021, 5:39 PM MDT for Kane County, Washington County, Utah. It was in force for 5 hr. 3 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Jul 31, 2021, 5:39 PM MDT (23:39 UTC)
Expired
Jul 31, 2021, 10:45 PM MDT
In force
5 hr
Issued by
NWS Salt Lake City, UT
Area
Storm-based polygon
Damage threat
Considerable
Flood severity
None

Counties Kane County, UT, Washington County, UT

The radar

The Cedar City radar (KICX), 40 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:38 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Jul 31, 6:15 PM MDTFLASH FLOODZion Np, UTZIOIN NP DISPATCH REPORTS ALL SLOT CANYONS IN ZION NP ARE EXPERIENCING FLOODING PINE CREEK AND SPRY CANYON IN PARTICULAR. THE ZION RAWS REPORTED 1.29 INCHES OF RAIN IN ONE HOUR. STILL RAINING AT OBSERVATION TIME.
Jul 31, 6:30 PM MDTFLASH FLOOD3 Se Springdale, UTSTREAM GAUGE ON THE EAST FORK OF THE VIRGIN RIVER RECORDED A PEAK FLOW OF 2790 CFS.
Jul 31, 7:15 PM MDTFLASH FLOOD3 Ssw Zion Np, UTUSGS STREAM GAUGE RECORDED FLOWS OF 2400 CFS ON THE NORTH FORK OF THE VIRGIN RIVER NEAR SPRINGDALE.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Flgstf/Belemont, AZ (KFGZ), launched 12:00Z, 11.7 hours before the alert went out and 244 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 12:00Z on 2021-07-31Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 319 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Flgstf/Belemont, AZ at 12:00Z on 2021-07-31The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 29 square meters per square second.1939Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
319 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-38 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
865 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
4 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
29 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-25 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

443 
WGUS55 KSLC 312339
FFWSLC
UTC025-053-010245-
/O.NEW.KSLC.FF.W.0076.210731T2339Z-210801T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
539 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  West Central Kane County in southern Utah...
  East Central Washington County in southwestern Utah...

* Until 845 PM MDT.

* At 539 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  intense rainfall moving into Zion National Park from the east 
  southeast. The expected rainfall rate is 1 to 3 inches in 1 hour. 
  Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly, with rainfall moving 
  into the East Fork of the Virgin River region now, and shortly 
  into Pine Creek, Keyhole, and Spry slot canyons over the next few 
  minutes.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
           producing flash flooding.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams,
           urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Zion National Park and Springdale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where 
you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become 
killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or 
creeks.

&&

LAT...LON 3713 11301 3744 11300 3741 11281 3719 11279
      3711 11282

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

GM
5 follow-up statements
104 
WGUS75 KSLC 312358
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
558 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

UTC025-053-010245-
/O.CON.KSLC.FF.W.0076.000000T0000Z-210801T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kane UT-Washington UT-
558 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM MDT THIS 
EVENING FOR WEST CENTRAL KANE AND EAST CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTIES...

At 558 PM MDT, Thunderstorms producing intense rain have overspread 
the eastern half of Zion National Park. Between 0.4 and 1 inch of 
rain has fallen over the last 20 minutes and amounts are climbing 
fast. The expected rainfall rate is between 1 to 3 inches in 1 hour. 
Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of all slot canyons
         surrounding Zion Canyon initially, then the North Fork
         of the Virgin River.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Zion National Park and Springdale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where 
you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become 
killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or 
creeks.

&&

LAT...LON 3713 11301 3744 11300 3741 11281 3719 11279
      3711 11282

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
EXPECTED RAINFALL...1-3 INCHES IN 1 HOUR

$$

GM
333 
WGUS75 KSLC 010043
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
643 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

UTC025-053-010245-
/O.CON.KSLC.FF.W.0076.000000T0000Z-210801T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kane UT-Washington UT-
643 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM MDT THIS 
EVENING FOR WEST CENTRAL KANE AND EAST CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTIES...

At 643 PM MDT, Zion National Park Dispatch has reported that slot 
canyons within and adjacent to Zion National Park, including Spry 
Canyon, are currently flashing. Debris has crossed roadways within 
the park in some locations. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have 
fallen. Flash flooding is already occurring.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
         flash flooding.

SOURCE...Zion National Park Dispatch.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of slot canyons, creeks
         and streams

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Zion National Park and Springdale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Flooding is occurring. It is important to know where you are 
relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become killers in 
heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or creeks and 
move to higher ground immediately.

&&

LAT...LON 3713 11301 3744 11300 3741 11281 3719 11279
      3711 11282

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

GM
788 
WGUS75 KSLC 010118
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
718 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

UTC025-053-010245-
/O.CON.KSLC.FF.W.0076.000000T0000Z-210801T0245Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kane UT-Washington UT-
718 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 845 PM MDT THIS 
EVENING FOR WEST CENTRAL KANE AND EAST CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTIES...

At 718 PM MDT, In addition to flash flooding of slot canyons within 
Zion Canyon, gauge reports from the North Fork of the Virgin River 
have risen from 60 cubic feet per second (cfs) to 1570 cfs over the 
last hour. River levels are continuing to rise. Flash flooding is 
already occurring.

HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding from earlier
         thunderstorms

SOURCE...Zion National Park Dispatch and USGS River Gauges.

IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of slot canyons, creeks,
         and streams.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Zion National Park and Springdale.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where 
you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become 
killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or 
creeks.

&&

LAT...LON 3713 11301 3744 11300 3741 11281 3719 11279
      3711 11282

FLASH FLOOD...GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

GM
019 
WGUS55 KSLC 010234
FFWSLC
UTC025-053-010445-
/O.EXT.KSLC.FF.W.0076.000000T0000Z-210801T0445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
834 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  West Central Kane County in southern Utah...
  East Central Washington County in southwestern Utah...

* Until 1045 PM MDT.

* At 834 PM MDT, USGS gauge reports show declining flows along the 
  North Fork of the Virgin River after a peak of just over 2400 
  cubic feet per second (cfs), but flows remain elevated at 1280 cfs 
  currently. Flash flooding continues, but will gradually improve 
  over the next several hours.

  HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding along the North Fork
           of the Virgin River and its tributaries.

  SOURCE...Zion National Park Dispatch and USGS River gauges.

  IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of slot canyons,
           creeks and streams.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  The North Fork of the Virgin River within Zion National Park.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood 
deaths occur in vehicles.

Flooding is occurring. It is important to know where you are 
relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become killers in 
heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or creeks and 
remain at higher ground if trapped.

&&

LAT...LON 3713 11301 3744 11300 3741 11281 3719 11279
      3711 11282

FLASH FLOOD...GAUGE INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

GM
384 
WGUS75 KSLC 010440
FFSSLC

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1040 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

UTC025-053-010450-
/O.EXP.KSLC.FF.W.0076.000000T0000Z-210801T0445Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Kane UT-Washington UT-
1040 PM MDT Sat Jul 31 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 1045 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR 
WEST CENTRAL KANE AND EAST CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended and flood waters will gradually decrease 
through the overnight hours. Peak flows were observed to be nearly 
2400 CFS at the USGS stream gauge on the North Fork of the Virgin 
River, but are beginning to decrease. Runoff from the earlier heavy 
rainfall will continue downstream to the confluence with the Virgin 
River. Flooding is not anticipated to pose any imminent threat, 
however, waters will likely remain high through the overnight hours. 
Please continue to heed any road closures.

LAT...LON 3713 11301 3744 11300 3741 11281 3719 11279
      3711 11282

$$

SW

The office that day

Everything else NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 30, 7:17 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCBeaver43 min
Jul 30, 7:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLC44 min
Jul 31, 12:31 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCSummit44 min
Jul 31, 1:12 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCIron33 min
Jul 31, 1:23 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCDuchesne, Wasatch3 hr
Jul 31, 1:30 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSLCIron, Washington30 min
Jul 31, 1:39 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCMorgan36 min
Jul 31, 2:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCMorgan50 min
Jul 31, 2:38 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCMorgan37 min
Jul 31, 2:47 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSLCMorgan, Rich, Summit28 min
Jul 31, 2:52 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCRich23 min
Jul 31, 3:00 PM MDTAreal Flood AdvisorySLCIron107 min
Jul 31, 3:10 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCMorgan20 min
Jul 31, 3:16 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSLCBox Elder, Cache, Weber29 min
Jul 31, 3:35 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCIron3 hr
Jul 31, 3:41 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCCache19 min
Jul 31, 4:00 PM MDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningSLCIron30 min
Jul 31, 4:06 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCBeaver24 min
Jul 31, 4:10 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCUtah3 hr
Jul 31, 4:19 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCDuchesne3 hr
Jul 31, 4:39 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCRich66 min
Jul 31, 5:01 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLC29 min
Jul 31, 5:11 PM MDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatSLCWashington3 hr
Jul 31, 5:25 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCJuab35 min
Jul 31, 5:37 PM MDTSpecial Weather StatementSLCWashington38 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Utah, 2021Every flash flood warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.