Alert archive / California / Flash Flood Warnings in 2022

Flash Flood Warning 78, NWS Las Vegas, NV

July 31, 2022Inyo County, California

NWS Las Vegas, NV issued this flash flood warning at Jul 31, 2022, 1:58 PM PDT for Inyo County, California. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report 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, 2022, 1:58 PM PDT (20:58 UTC)
Expired: Jul 31, 2022, 5:00 PM PDT
In force: 3 hr
Issued by: NWS Las Vegas, NV
Area: Storm-based polygon
Damage threat: Considerable
Flood severity: None

County Inyo County, CA

The radar

The San Joaquin Valley radar (KHNX), 166 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 20:59 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

Time	Report	Where	Remark
Jul 31, 4:27 PM PDT	FLASH FLOOD	5 Ssw Lone Pine, CA	CHP REPORT OF ROADWAY FLOODING AT THE INTERSECTION OF HORSESHOE MEADOWS ROAD AND LUBKEN CANYON ROAD.

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

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 149 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Las Vegas, NV (KVEF), launched 12:00Z, 9.0 hours before the alert went out and 209 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-p

Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.

Hodograph

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: 859 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN: -37 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL: 1642 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear: 8 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity: 20 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity: 46 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter: 0.0
Supercell composite: 0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

259 
WGUS55 KVEF 312058
FFWVEF
CAC027-010000-
/O.NEW.KVEF.FF.W.0078.220731T2058Z-220801T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
158 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

The National Weather Service in Las Vegas has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Western Inyo County in south central California...

* Until 500 PM PDT.

* At 158 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or 
  expected to begin shortly. Department of Highways has closed State 
  Route 168 east of Death Valley Road due to flash flooding and 
  debris over the roadway.

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

  SOURCE...Radar and Department of Highways.

  IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water
           crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lone Pine, Independence, Olancha, Big Pine, Keeler, Portagee Lake 
  Campground, Diaz Lake, Mesquite Springs Campground, Tuttle Creek 
  Campground, Scottys Castle, Independence Creek Campground, Sawmill 
  Creek Campground, Panamint Springs, Taboose Creek Campground, 
  Darwin, Tinemaha Campground, Goodale Creek Campground and Cartago.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3647 11745 3631 11744 3610 11799 3646 11807
      3671 11823 3681 11823 3704 11829 3723 11828
      3744 11785 3679 11695

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

JV

2 follow-up statements

165 
WGUS75 KVEF 312205
FFSVEF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
305 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

CAC027-010000-
/O.CON.KVEF.FF.W.0078.000000T0000Z-220801T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Inyo CA-
305 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM PDT THIS 
AFTERNOON FOR WESTERN INYO COUNTY...

At 305 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain across the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected 
to begin shortly. Department of Highways has closed State Route 168 
east of Death Valley Road due to flash flooding and debris over the 
roadway.

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

SOURCE...Radar and Department of Highways.

IMPACT...Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water crossings,
         creeks, normally dry washes and roads.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Lone Pine, Independence, Olancha, Big Pine, Keeler, Portagee Lake 
  Campground, Diaz Lake, Mesquite Springs Campground, Tuttle Creek 
  Campground, Scottys Castle, Independence Creek Campground, Sawmill 
  Creek Campground, Panamint Springs, Taboose Creek Campground, 
  Darwin, Tinemaha Campground, Goodale Creek Campground and Cartago.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 3647 11745 3631 11744 3610 11799 3646 11807
      3671 11823 3681 11823 3704 11829 3723 11828
      3744 11785 3679 11695

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE

$$

JV

857 
WGUS75 KVEF 312359
FFSVEF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
459 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

CAC027-010009-
/O.EXP.KVEF.FF.W.0078.000000T0000Z-220801T0000Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Inyo CA-
459 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 5 PM PDT THIS AFTERNOON FOR 
WESTERN INYO COUNTY...

Flash flooding is ongoing in the warned area, particularly across 
Death Valley National Park. This warning has been replaced with a 
new one that goes through 8 pm PDT.

A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1000 PM PDT for portions of 
southeast California and southern Nevada.

LAT...LON 3647 11745 3631 11744 3610 11799 3646 11807
      3671 11823 3681 11823 3704 11829 3723 11828
      3744 11785 3679 11695

$$

JV

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Las Vegas, NV wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 31, 1:38 PM PDT, 20 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 31, 1:38 PM PDT, 20 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Las Vegas NV
138 PM PDT Sun Jul 31 2022

.SYNOPSIS...Moist and unstable air is providing conditions that are
conducive for heavy rain and flash flooding across much of the area
through Monday. Coverage will decrease Tuesday and Wednesday before
a more favorable monsoonal flow will allow for another increase in
moisture later in the week. Temperatures will trend upward through
mid week before reversing course toward weeks end.
&&

.SHORT TERM...Through Monday. Thunderstorm development began early
today and coverage has been fairly widespread. With the deep
moisture in place and more than sufficient instability, averaging
around 1500 J/kg of SBCAPE across most of the forecast area.
Thunderstorms have been very efficient rain producers with rain
rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour and many storms producing 1 to 2
inches of rainfall in 30 minutes. Although heavy rain and flash
flooding are the main threats of the day, there have been more
isolated reports of severe hail and wind gusts around 60 mph.
Convection will linger the longest this evening across the northerly
portions of the forecast area from Inyo and Esmeralda Counties
eastward into central Nye and northern Lincoln Counties. The latest
hi-resolution models and ensembles are indicating another round of
thunderstorm development on Monday, but with a later start than
occurred today. The main trigger will be an upper level feature that
will be moving northward across southeast California on Monday which
will favor western San Bernardino, Inyo, Esmeralda and Nye Counties
with lesser coverage elsewhere.

.LONG TERM...The main monsoonal ridge will continue to push to the
west over the next couple of days and be centered near the Arizona
and New Mexico border by Tuesday afternoon. By Thursday, the ridge
will lift to the north and be centered near the Four Corners region
which will provide another opening of the door to a return of deeper
monsoonal moisture and an uptick on thunderstorm coverage through
Saturday. Temperatures will trend upward through mid week before
reversing course with the next round of moisture from Thursday on in
most locations.
&&

.AVIATION...For Harry Reid...Winds are expected to have a southerly
component through the evening. The main round of convection is
expected to impact the terminal area through 22Z. However,
additional showers and thunderstorms cannot be ruled out through
sunset. Hi-res model guidance is indicating a later start to the
thunderstorm activity tomorrow with overall less coverage compared
to today. CIGS of BKN060 are possible with any thunderstorm.

For the rest of southern Nevada, northwest Arizona and southeast
California...Thunderstorm activity will continue into the evening
with KDAG and KBIH being favored. Activity is expected to decrease
overnight before redeveloping again by Monday afternoon. Outside of
thunderstorm activity, light winds of 10kts or less are expected at
all regional TAF sites.
&&

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...Spotters are encouraged to report
any significant weather or impacts according to standard operating
procedures.
&&

SHORT TERM...Czyzyk
LONG TERM...Czyzyk
AVIATION...Czyzyk

For more forecast information...see us on our webpage:
https://weather.gov/lasvegas or follow us on Facebook and Twitter

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 31, 12:32 PM PDT, 1 hour 26 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
1232 PM PDT SUN JUL 31 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0745 PM     FLASH FLOOD      4 SE FURNACE CREEK      36.42N 116.81W
07/30/2022                   INYO               CA   PARK/FOREST SRVC

            DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK DISPATCH REPORTED
            FLOODING OVER HIGHWAY 190 YESTERDAY.

0350 PM     FLASH FLOOD      13 NE DOLAN SPRINGS     35.73N 114.12W
07/30/2022                   MOHAVE             AZ   COUNTY OFFICIAL

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS FLASH FLOOD REPORT FROM 9
            E CHLORIDE. NORTH STOCKTON HILL ROAD CLOSED
            DUE TO FLOODING BETWEEN NORTH PIERCE FERRY
            ROAD TO MILE MARKER 32 DUE TO WEATHER.

&&

VARIAN

Local storm report, Jul 31, 12:33 PM PDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
1233 PM PDT SUN JUL 31 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0308 PM     TSTM WND GST     3 NNE NEWBERRY SPRINGS  34.87N 116.66W
07/30/2022  M61 MPH          SAN BERNARDINO     CA   MESONET

            SITE AT NEWBERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GUSTED TO
            61 MPH AT 308PM. DATA COURTESY OF
            EARTHNETWORKS.

0324 PM     TSTM WND DMG     2 ENE NEWBERRY SPRINGS  34.84N 116.66W
07/30/2022                   SAN BERNARDINO     CA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL REPORTED A
            POWERLINE DOWN DUE TO THUNDERSTORM WINDS.

0418 PM     TSTM WND DMG     3 NE NEWBERRY SPRINGS   34.86N 116.66W
07/30/2022                   SAN BERNARDINO     CA   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL REPORT OF A BROKEN
            POWERPOLE AND LINES HANGING ABOUT 6 FEET OFF
            THE GROUND.

0745 PM     FLASH FLOOD      4 SE FURNACE CREEK      36.42N 116.81W
07/30/2022                   INYO               CA   PARK/FOREST SRVC

            DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK DISPATCH REPORTED
            FLOODING OVER HIGHWAY 190 YESTERDAY.

0926 PM     TSTM WND GST     19 S HAIWEE             35.87N 117.92W
07/30/2022  M64 MPH          INYO               CA   MESONET

            FIVE MILE RAWS SENSOR MEASURED 64 MPH WINDS
            FROM NEARBY THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY.

0325 PM     FLASH FLOOD      4 W GOLDEN VALLEY       35.23N 114.28W
07/30/2022                   MOHAVE             AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            WEST CHINO DRIVE CLOSED BETWEEN NORTH MILKY
            WAY ROAD AND NORTH ESTRELLA ROAD DUE TO
            FLOODING.

0350 PM     FLASH FLOOD      13 NE DOLAN SPRINGS     35.73N 114.12W
07/30/2022                   MOHAVE             AZ   COUNTY OFFICIAL

            CORRECTS PREVIOUS FLASH FLOOD REPORT FROM 9
            E CHLORIDE. NORTH STOCKTON HILL ROAD CLOSED
            DUE TO FLOODING BETWEEN NORTH PIERCE FERRY
            ROAD TO MILE MARKER 32 DUE TO WEATHER.

0355 PM     FLASH FLOOD      3 SSW GOLDEN VALLEY     35.18N 114.25W
07/30/2022                   MOHAVE             AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            SOUTH TEDDY ROOSEVELT ROAD CLOSED DUE TO
            FLOODING FROM WEST BOLSA DRIVE TO WEST
            SHINARUMP DRIVE.

0355 PM     FLASH FLOOD      8 SSW GOLDEN VALLEY     35.12N 114.26W
07/30/2022                   MOHAVE             AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            SOUTH GARNET ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
            FROM WEST SHINARUMP DRIVE TO WEST OATMAN
            HIGHWAY.

0355 PM     FLASH FLOOD      4 WNW GOLDEN VALLEY     35.26N 114.29W
07/30/2022                   MOHAVE             AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            NORTH ESTRELLA ROAD CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
            FROM WEST CHINO DRIVE TO WEST ZUNI DRIVE.

0400 PM     FLASH FLOOD      10 ENE OATMAN           35.07N 114.22W
07/30/2022                   MOHAVE             AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            WEST OATMAN HIGHWAY CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
            FROM MILE MARKER 40 TO SILVER CREEK ROAD.

0405 PM     FLASH FLOOD      5 SSW GOLDEN VALLEY     35.16N 114.24W
07/30/2022                   MOHAVE             AZ   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            WEST SHINARUMP DRIVE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING
            FROM SOUTH COLORADO ROAD TO SOUTH GARNET
            ROAD.

0745 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 ENE COLORADO CITY     37.00N 112.97W
07/30/2022                   MOHAVE             AZ   FIRE DEPT/RESCUE

            COLORADO CITY FIRE CHIEF REPORTED THAT ALL
            THE LOW-WATER CROSSINGS OVER SHORT CREEK IN
            COLORADO CITY WERE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.

&&

VARIAN

Local storm report, Jul 31, 1:02 PM PDT, 56 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
102 PM PDT SUN JUL 31 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1200 PM     FLASH FLOOD      1 E MOUNTAIN PASS       35.47N 115.53W
07/31/2022                   SAN BERNARDINO     CA   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            FLASH FLOODING REPORTED ON INTERSTATE 15 BY
            BAILEY.

&&

VARIAN

Local storm report, Jul 31, 1:31 PM PDT, 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LAS VEGAS NV
131 PM PDT SUN JUL 31 2022

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0114 PM     TSTM WND GST     4 ENE FORT IRWIN        35.28N 116.62W
07/31/2022  M61 MPH          SAN BERNARDINO     CA   ASOS

            BICYCLE LAKE ASOS REPORTED 61 MPH WINDS FROM
            NEARBY THUNDERSTORMS.

0117 PM     FLASH FLOOD      12 WNW DEATH VALLEY JUN 36.35N 116.63W
07/31/2022                   INYO               CA   DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

            OVER 1 FOOT OF FLOWING WATER OVER HIGHWAY
            190 IN DEATH VALLEY. ROAD IS IMPASSABLE AND
            HAS BEEN CLOSED.

&&

VARIAN

The office that day

Everything else NWS Las Vegas, NV issued on the same UTC day.

Issued	Product	Office	Counties	Lasted
Jul 30, 6:57 PM PDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	VEF	Inyo	48 min
Jul 30, 7:06 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	Inyo	2 hr
Jul 30, 7:17 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	Inyo	2 hr
Jul 30, 8:06 PM PDT	Severe Thunderstorm Warning	VEF	Inyo	54 min
Jul 31, 12:15 AM PDT	Flood Watch	VEF	Inyo, San Bernardino	46 hr
Jul 31, 10:12 AM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	San Bernardino	3 hr
Jul 31, 10:38 AM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	San Bernardino	3 hr
Jul 31, 11:41 AM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	Inyo, San Bernardino	6 hr
Jul 31, 12:02 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	Inyo, San Bernardino	5 hr
Jul 31, 12:45 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	San Bernardino	3 hr
Jul 31, 1:04 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	Inyo, San Bernardino	116 min
Jul 31, 3:07 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	Inyo, San Bernardino	113 min
Jul 31, 3:40 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	San Bernardino	80 min
Jul 31, 3:41 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	San Bernardino	4 hr
Jul 31, 4:51 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	San Bernardino	3 hr
Jul 31, 4:53 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	Inyo, San Bernardino	5 hr
Jul 31, 4:57 PM PDT	Flash Flood Warning Considerable damage threat	VEF	San Bernardino	3 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in California, 2022 Every flash flood warning in 2022

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.