Alert archive / New York / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 22, NWS Albany, NY

July 29, 20264 counties in New York

NWS Albany, NY issued this flash flood warning at Jul 29, 2026, 2:23 PM EDT for 4 counties in New York. It was in force for 6 hr. 5 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 29, 2026, 2:23 PM EDT (18:23 UTC)
Expired
Jul 29, 2026, 8:02 PM EDT
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Albany, NY
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Albany County, NY, Rensselaer County, NY, Saratoga County, NY, Schenectady County, NY

The radar

The Albany radar (KENX), 33 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:26 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 29, 4:15 PM EDTRAIN 5.191 Ese Niskayuna, NY
Jul 29, 4:30 PM EDTRAIN 5.253 Nw Colonie, NY
Jul 29, 5:00 PM EDTRAIN 6.742 Ese Clifton Park, NY
Jul 29, 5:13 PM EDTRAIN 6.892 Wnw Albany, NY
Jul 29, 5:15 PM EDTRAIN 6.863 Wnw Cohoes, NYStorm Total.

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

Did it verify

Not verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow found no qualifying storm report inside this flash flood warning while it was in force. That is not proof nothing happened: reports are thin where few people live.

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

Albany, NY (KALY), launched 12:00Z, 6.4 hours before the alert went out and 12 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, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-07-29Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 80 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Albany, NY at 12:00Z on 2026-07-29The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -2 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 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
80 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-35 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
761 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
31 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-2 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
-21 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

801 
WGUS51 KALY 291823
FFWALY
NYC001-083-091-093-300015-
/O.NEW.KALY.FF.W.0022.260729T1823Z-260730T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Albany NY
223 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

The National Weather Service in Albany has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northeastern Albany County in east central New York...
  West Central Rensselaer County in east central New York...
  South Central Saratoga County in east central New York...
  Southeastern Schenectady County in east central New York...

* Until 815 PM EDT.

* At 223 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the 
  warned area. Between 4 and 7 inches of rain have fallen. The 
  expected rainfall rate is 0.5 to 1 inch in 1 hour. Additional 
  rainfall amounts up to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. 
  Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban
           areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as
           other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Rainfall
           rates have increased to between a half inch and one
           inch per hour, with significant runoff occurring.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Clifton Park, Rotterdam, Cohoes, 
  Watervliet, Rensselaer, Colonie, Latham, Delmar, Guilderland, 
  Niskayuna, Menands, Green Island, Waterford, Loudonville, East 
  Glenville, Halfmoon and Verdoy.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

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

&&

LAT...LON 4287 7382 4287 7380 4287 7368 4282 7367
      4276 7365 4275 7366 4260 7373 4266 7389
      4282 7395

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
EXPECTED RAINFALL RATE...0.5-1 INCH IN 1 HOUR

$$

07
2 follow-up statements
283 
WGUS71 KALY 292115
FFSALY

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Albany NY
515 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

NYC001-083-091-093-300015-
/O.CON.KALY.FF.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260730T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Albany NY-Rensselaer NY-Saratoga NY-Schenectady NY-
515 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 PM EDT THIS 
EVENING FOR NORTHEASTERN ALBANY, WEST CENTRAL RENSSELAER, SOUTH 
CENTRAL SARATOGA AND SOUTHEASTERN SCHENECTADY COUNTIES...

At 515 PM EDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain across the warned 
area. Between 4 and 8 inches of rain have fallen. Additional 
rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area. 
Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Several 
roads remain flooded and impassable.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Clifton Park, Rotterdam, Cohoes, 
  Watervliet, Rensselaer, Colonie, Latham, Delmar, Guilderland, 
  Niskayuna, Menands, Green Island, Waterford, Loudonville, East 
  Glenville, Halfmoon and Verdoy.

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.

&&

LAT...LON 4287 7382 4287 7380 4287 7368 4282 7367
      4276 7365 4275 7366 4260 7373 4266 7389
      4282 7395

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

07
752 
WGUS71 KALY 300002
FFSALY

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Albany NY
802 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

NYC001-083-091-093-300012-
/O.CAN.KALY.FF.W.0022.000000T0000Z-260730T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Albany NY-Rensselaer NY-Saratoga NY-Schenectady NY-
802 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR NORTHEASTERN ALBANY, WEST CENTRAL 
RENSSELAER, SOUTH CENTRAL SARATOGA AND SOUTHEASTERN SCHENECTADY 
COUNTIES HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A FLOOD WARNING...

&&

LAT...LON 4287 7382 4287 7380 4287 7368 4282 7367
      4276 7365 4275 7366 4260 7373 4266 7389
      4282 7395

$$

35

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 Albany, NY wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 29, 1:25 PM EDT, 58 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • 1) Multiple rounds of showers/thunderstorms will produce heavy rain through today, especially in the Flood Watch area. Poor drainage/urban areas will be most susceptible to potential flash flooding through today. 2) Despite areas of heavy rainfall, current river forecasts suggest threat for river flooding is low at this time. However, if any of the higher-end rainfall totals are realized then isolated minor river flooding would be possible.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 29, 1:25 PM EDT, 58 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Albany NY
125 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

.WHAT HAS CHANGED...
Flood Watch for Flash Flooding expanded into the Capital
Region, Lake George-Saratoga/Upper Hudson Valley region and
Rensselaer County. Heavy rain and embedded thunderstorms will
persist across the eastern Catskills north into these areas
through daybreak, with a secondary area of moderate to heavy
rain redeveloping for areas near and north of I-90 later this
morning through early afternoon. QPF amounts have therefore
increased in these areas with some amounts of 3-4" possible.

&&

.KEY MESSAGES...
1) Multiple rounds of showers/thunderstorms will produce heavy
rain through today, especially in the Flood Watch area. Poor
drainage/urban areas will be most susceptible to potential flash
flooding through today.

2) Despite areas of heavy rainfall, current river forecasts suggest
threat for river flooding is low at this time. However, if any
of the higher-end rainfall totals are realized then isolated
minor river flooding would be possible.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
KEY MESSAGE 1...

Multiple embedded mid level vortices have developed along the
eastern periphery of developing upper level trough. Initial wave
was located over the SE Catskills will continue tracking
northward through daybreak, with moderate to heavy rain on its
eastern side persisting across the NE Catskills into the upper
Hudson Valley region. Rainfall rates up to 1-2"/hour will be
possible, especially in favored upslope areas in the NE
Catskills, and possibly NW Saratoga/western Warren Cos.
Additional showers/thunderstorms with heavy rain will continue
translating N/NE into the Taconics, NW CT/western MA and
southern VT toward daybreak, with some rainfall rates
potentially reaching up to 2"/hour.

As this initial wave rides north, another feature located off
the NJ coast should lift toward LI and then southern New England
later this morning and afternoon. This should allow an area of
moderate to heavy rain across western New England to pivot
westward, reaching areas near and north of I-90 including the
Capital Region, the Lake George/Saratoga and upper Hudson Valley
regions later this morning through mid afternoon. Rainfall rates
could still reach 1-2"/hour within this area, which added to the
prior rainfall, could increase chances for flash flooding,
especially in poor drainage and urban areas. Therefore, the
Flood Watch for Flash Flooding has been expanded northward into
these areas.

Heavy rain should decrease in intensity toward and after sunset,
with a general decrease in areal coverage of showers tonight.

KEY MESSAGE 2...

Latest HEFS (Ensemble River Forecasts) continue to show a low
(generally <10-15%) chance for main stem river flooding with
this event, likely due to antecedent dry conditions and rainfall
deficits. However, rainfall amounts are siding on the higher end
of forecasts, and latest NERFC forecasts do suggest the Hoosic
River @ Williamstown could approach minor flood stage early this
afternoon, with Esopus Creek @ Cold Brook also approaching minor
FS early this morning. Will have to watch other points across
the eastern Catskills and western New England through today
given that higher rainfall totals are most likely going to be
realized.

&&

.AVIATION /18Z WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY/...
Through 18z/Thu...A steady rain continues to fall at
KALB/KGFL/KPSF this afternoon and will persist into tonight
with widespread IFR/MVFR conditions. Later tonight, rain will
begin to transition to scattered showers at these sites but low
ceilings are expected to continue. At KPOU, the steadiest rain
is north of the TAF site but isolated to scattered showers will
be possible there this afternoon through tonight with some
reductions to MVFR at times. Light isolated to widely scattered
showers will continue Thursday morning with cigs remaining mixed
IFR/MVFR. Winds will be mainly north to northwesterly 5-10 kt
through the upcoming period.

Outlook...

Thursday Night: Low Operational Impact. Slight Chance of SHRA.
Friday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Friday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Saturday: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Saturday Night: No Operational Impact. NO SIG WX.
Sunday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA.
Sunday Night: Moderate Operational Impact. Likely SHRA...TSRA.
Monday: Moderate Operational Impact. Chance of SHRA...TSRA.

&&

.ALY WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
CT...Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for CTZ001-013.
NY...Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for NYZ041>043-048>054-
     058>061-063>066-083-084.
MA...Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for MAZ001-025.
VT...Flood Watch until 8 PM EDT this evening for VTZ013>015.

&&

DISCUSSION...24/35
AVIATION...33

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 29, 12:24 PM EDT, 1 hour 59 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albany NY
1224 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

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

1201 PM     Rain             3 WSW Rotterdam         42.76N 74.00W
07/29/2026  M4.25 Inch       Schenectady        NY   Trained Spotter

&&

53
Local storm report, Jul 29, 12:49 PM EDT, 1 hour 34 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albany NY
1249 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

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

1230 PM     Rain             3 WNW Cohoes            42.79N 73.75W
07/29/2026  M5.60 Inch       Albany             NY   NWS Employee

&&

53
Local storm report, Jul 29, 1:06 PM EDT, 1 hour 17 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albany NY
106 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

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

1238 PM     Flash Flood      1 WSW Niverville        42.44N 73.68W
07/29/2026                   Columbia           NY   Emergency Mngr

            NYSOEM reporting a flooding condition at two
            houses.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 29, 1:32 PM EDT, 51 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albany NY
132 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

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

1046 AM     Flash Flood      1 WSW Hudson            42.25N 73.80W
07/29/2026                   Columbia           NY   Dept of Highways

            DOT Flooding and Road Closure on NY 23B both
            directions at Mount Merino Road (Greenport)
            all lanes of 2 lanes closed.

&&
Local storm report, Jul 29, 1:54 PM EDT, 29 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albany NY
154 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

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

0145 PM     Rain             4 ENE Philmont          42.27N 73.57W
07/29/2026  M7.80 Inch       Columbia           NY   Trained Spotter

            Storm Total.

&&

33
Local storm report, Jul 29, 2:15 PM EDT, 8 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Albany NY
215 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

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

0205 PM     Rain             1 ESE Niskayuna         42.81N 73.88W
07/29/2026  M4.44 Inch       Schenectady        NY   NWS Employee

            Storm Total.

&&

33

The office that day

Everything else NWS Albany, NY issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jul 29, 12:51 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYGreene, Ulster10 hr
Jul 29, 2:58 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYGreene8 hr
Jul 29, 3:08 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYDutchess3 hr
Jul 29, 3:17 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYAlbany, Greene8 hr
Jul 29, 3:30 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningALYUlster2 hr
Jul 29, 3:40 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYAlbany, Schenectady7 hr
Jul 29, 3:43 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningALYGreene, Schoharie13 hr
Jul 29, 4:17 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYColumbia, Greene, Ulster6 hr
Jul 29, 4:26 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYAlbany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady2 hr
Jul 29, 6:09 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYColumbia, Greene, Rensselaer4 hr
Jul 29, 6:30 AM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatALYAlbany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady5 hr
Jul 29, 7:24 AM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatALYColumbia, Greene, Rensselaer10 hr
Jul 29, 7:47 AM EDTFlash Flood Warning Considerable damage threatALYColumbia, Greene, Ulster6 hr
Jul 29, 8:16 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYRensselaer, Saratoga, Washington6 hr
Jul 29, 8:37 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningALYUlster8 hr
Jul 29, 8:40 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYUlster5 hr
Jul 29, 8:52 AM EDTFlash Flood WarningALYFulton, Montgomery, Saratoga, Schenectady6 hr
Jul 29, 10:07 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningALYColumbia, Dutchess, Ulster6 hr
Jul 29, 10:15 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningALYUlster7 hr
Jul 29, 10:39 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningALYSchoharie8 hr
Jul 29, 10:46 AM EDTRiver Flood WarningALYSchoharie12 hr
Jul 29, 10:58 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningALYAlbany, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Ulster6 hr
Jul 29, 11:42 AM EDTAreal Flood WarningALYColumbia, Rensselaer6 hr
Jul 29, 1:43 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningALYColumbia, Greene, Ulster20 hr
Jul 29, 2:07 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningALYFulton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and 1 more19 hr
Jul 29, 4:55 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningALYAlbany, Schenectady17 hr
Jul 29, 5:19 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningALYColumbia, Greene, Rensselaer17 hr
Jul 29, 5:41 PM EDTAreal Flood WarningALYColumbia, Rensselaer6 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in New York, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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.