Flash Flood Warning 5, NWS Missoula, MT

Issued

Aug 14, 2026, 8:31 AM MDT (14:31 UTC)

Expired

Aug 14, 2026, 11:30 AM MDT

In force

3 hr

Issued by

NWS Missoula, MT

Area

Storm-based polygon

Flood severity

None

County Ravalli County, MT

The Missoula radar (KMSX), 91 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 14:35 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.

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.

991 
WGUS55 KMSO 141431
FFWMSO
MTC081-141730-
/O.NEW.KMSO.FF.W.0005.260814T1431Z-260814T1730Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Missoula MT
831 AM MDT Fri Aug 14 2026

The National Weather Service in Missoula has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  The Daly Fire burn scar in...
  Northeastern Ravalli County in west central Montana...

* Until 1130 AM MDT.

* At 831 AM MDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
  thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the Daly Fire Burn Scar.
  Between 0.2 and 0.4 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall
  amounts of 0.2 to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash
  flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly. Excessive
  rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow moving
  through the Skalkaho Creek Drainage. The debris flow can consist of
  rock, mud, vegetation and other loose materials.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms in and around the
           Daly Fire Burn Scar.

  SOURCE...Radar and automated gauges.

  IMPACT...Flooding of areas in and around the Daly Fire Burn Scar.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Mainly rural areas of Northeastern Ravalli County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This is a life threatening situation. Heavy rainfall will cause
extensive and severe flash flooding of creeks...streams...and ditches
in the Daly Fire Burn Scar. Severe debris flows can also be
anticipated across roads. Roads and driveways may be washed away in
places. If you encounter flood waters...climb to safety.

&&

LAT...LON 4624 11385 4625 11385 4626 11383 4625 11382
      4623 11384 4622 11384 4622 11385 4621 11385
      4621 11386 4622 11386 4622 11387

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR AND GAUGE INDICATED

$$

TSP

NWS Missoula, MT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 14, 2:25 AM MDT, 6 hours 6 minutes earlier.

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Missoula MT
225 AM MDT Fri Aug 14 2026

.DISCUSSION...

KEY MESSAGES:

-  Rounds of showers and thunderstorms with locally heavy rain,
   the potential for debris flows, and gusty winds (mainly western
   Montana) through today.

-  Temporary relief from smoke with easterly winds.

-  Gradual warming and drying trend this weekend, daily
   thunderstorm threat continues.

Scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms continued to
redevelop and move over western Montana and north-central Idaho
during the overnight hours into early this morning. Brief heavy
rainfall and occasional lightning occurred with these storms.
Lingering showers will continue to stream over western Montana
through mid-morning.

This afternoon, several rounds of showers and thunderstorms will
impact the Northern Rockies and will likely bring isolated
activity through the overnight once again. The main threat with
these thunderstorms will be brief heavy rainfall. Yesterday
afternoon, thunderstorms produced up to 0.40 inches per hour,
which can be expected with the thunderstorms today. The strongest
storms are expected between 3 PM and 9 PM, bringing a threat for
debris flows and excessive runoff to flood-prone areas of northern
Lemhi County and burn scars in the southern Bitterroot Valley. A
Flash Flood Watch may be needed to highlight areas at most risk
for impacts this afternoon and evening. Gusty and erratic winds
between 30-40 mph will also be a threat, that could blow around
unsecured objects and bring minor tree damage.

A ridge of high pressure will rebuild over the Northern Rockies
this weekend into early next week. Persistent southwest winds
aloft will continue to bring moisture into the region, keeping
atmospheric moisture high. This pattern will sustain daily chances
for afternoon showers and thunderstorms through next week,
preventing a full return to dry conditions. Wildfire smoke will
remain an ongoing challenge, with air quality expected to degrade
slowly this weekend as southwest winds transport smoke plumes from
source fires in eastern Washington and Oregon.

&&

.AVIATION...Scattered rain showers and isolated thunderstorms will
continue to stream over western Montana and north-central Idaho
through 14/1500Z this morning. Shower and thunderstorm activity
will redevelop this afternoon and evening, bringing a threat for
frequent lightning, brief heavy rainfall, and gusty, erratic winds
up to 35 kts to all aviation sites across the Northern Rockies.
However, KMSO, KHRF, KBTM, and KSMN will have the highest chance
for the strongest storms between 14/2000Z and 15/0200Z this
evening.

Persistent easterly winds have limited the impacts due to smoke
from regional and local wildfires, but this is likely to change
this weekend and early next week, when a southwest wind pattern
returns to the Northern Rockies.

&&

.MSO WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MT...None.
ID...&&

Flash Flood Warnings in Montana, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

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