Alert archive / Washington / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 9, NWS Spokane, WA

August 14, 2026Chelan County, Washington

NWS Spokane, WA issued this flash flood warning at Aug 14, 2026, 4:55 PM PDT for Chelan County, Washington. It was in force for 3 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued.

The facts

Issued
Aug 14, 2026, 4:55 PM PDT (23:55 UTC)
Expired
Aug 14, 2026, 8:00 PM PDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Spokane, WA
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Chelan County, WA

The radar

The Seattle radar (KATX), 138 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 23:58 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.

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

Quillayute State, WA (KUIL), launched 12:00Z, 11.9 hours before the alert went out and 273 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, Quillayute State, WA at 12:00Z on 2026-08-14Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 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, Quillayute State, WA at 12:00Z on 2026-08-14The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 3 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
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
979 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
13 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
3 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
23 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

506 
WGUS56 KOTX 142355
FFWOTX
WAC007-150300-
/O.NEW.KOTX.FF.W.0009.260814T2355Z-260815T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Spokane WA
455 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  West Central Chelan County in north central Washington...

* Until 800 PM PDT.

* At 455 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing 
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.9 and 1.2 inches of 
  rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin 
  shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  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...
  Chatter Creek Campground, Rock Island Campground and Ida Creek 
  Campground.

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 4757 12085 4755 12091 4759 12097 4764 12091
      4765 12085 4762 12081

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

SB
2 follow-up statements
116 
WGUS76 KOTX 150108
FFSOTX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
608 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAC007-150300-
/O.CON.KOTX.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260815T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Chelan WA-
608 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING 
FOR WEST CENTRAL CHELAN COUNTY...

At 608 PM PDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy 
rain across the warned area. Radar has estimated between 1 and 1.8 
inches of rain have fallen. Additional storms with heavy rain are 
moving through the warned area.  Flash flooding is ongoing or 
expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, forest
         roads, and campgrounds as well as other poor drainage
         and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Chatter Creek Campground, Rock Island Campground and Ida Creek 
  Campground.

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 4757 12085 4755 12091 4759 12097 4764 12091
      4765 12085 4762 12081

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

SB
255 
WGUS76 KOTX 150258
FFSOTX

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
758 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAC007-150308-
/O.EXP.KOTX.FF.W.0009.000000T0000Z-260815T0300Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Chelan WA-
758 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR WEST 
CENTRAL CHELAN COUNTY...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding may be ongoing.  Use caution 
around streams and creeks which may experience delayed rises as 
water works through creeks and streams.   Please continue to heed 
remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 4757 12085 4755 12091 4759 12097 4764 12091
      4765 12085 4762 12081

$$

SB

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 Spokane, WA wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Aug 14, 2:17 PM PDT, 2 hours 38 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Continued thunderstorm chances focused over mountain areas through the weekend.
  • Temperatures warm back into the mid 80s to mid 90s by Sunday.
  • Drier air returns early to mid next week.
Area forecast discussion, Aug 14, 2:17 PM PDT, 2 hours 38 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Spokane WA
217 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Continued thunderstorm chances focused over mountain areas
  through the weekend.

- Temperatures warm back into the mid 80s to mid 90s by Sunday.

- Drier air returns early to mid next week.

&&

.SYNOPSIS...
A somewhat active pattern persists across the Inland Northwest
through the weekend and into early next week with continued
mountain thunderstorm chances each afternoon and evening.
Temperatures trend warmer through the weekend. A drier airmass
moves in by the middle of next week.

&&

.DISCUSSION...
Today through Sunday: The trough that brought afternoon and evening
thunderstorms to the mountain areas yesterday has begun retrograding
westward and off the PNW coast. This will result in southwesterly
flow, which will aid in keeping PWATs 100-150 percent above normal
(0.9-1.2"). We will remain in this pattern regime through the
weekend and into early next week as the low stays in place off the
coast. Incoming weak shortwaves paired with daytime heating and the
added moisture will create chances for thunderstorms each afternoon
and evening. Tonight, there is a 20-40 percent chance of
thunderstorms focused along the Cascades and the ID Panhandle, and
current radar does show thunderstorms moving towards the Cascades.
Main impacts with these thunderstorms will be gusty outflow winds,
localized heavy rainfall, and possible fire starts due to lightning.
These impacts will remain similar through the weekend. While fire
concerns are elevated due to lightning and gusty winds, the added
moisture will limit any major fire weather concerns. Chances for
thunderstorms will be similar on Saturday, but will be further
confined to the Cascades and far SE Washington/Central ID.
Thunderstorm chances will be further limited on Saturday as the low
moves further off the coast.

Monday through Friday: Monday through Tuesday, the trough begins to
move back towards the forecast area. This will bring more widespread
chances of precipitation, though largest chances still remain
confined to the ID Panhandle. Thunderstorm chances continue through
Tuesday, then taper off as a warmer and drier air mass moves in.
Currently, cluster analysis and long-term models remain in
disagreement over whether we will continue seeing a cooler and
wetter pattern or transition to a warmer and drier pattern. Roughly
half of the clusters show much of the PNW in a drier and warmer
pattern to end next week, while the other half shows us continuing
to see lower heights. This will depend on whether the low off the
west coast strengthens or dissipates. Overall: expect unsettled
weather conditions to continue with chances of afternoon and evening
thunderstorms in mountain areas through early next week.
Temperatures will remain very close to or just below normal. /AS

&&

.AVIATION...
18Z TAFs: VFR to locally MVFR conditions will continue the next
24 hours with areas of smoke and haze. Winds will be out of the
north to northeast. GEG, SFF, COE, and PUW will see winds
increase to ~10kts by around 12Z, but guidance shows them
relaxing a couple hours into the next TAF period. Chances of
thunderstorms will be largely confined to the Cascades and ID
Panhandle Mountains, though there is a chance for thunderstorms
to impact EAT and LWS. There is not enough confidence to
include this in the TAF.

FORECAST CONFIDENCE AND/OR ALTERNATE SCENARIOS: High confidence
in smoke and haze continuing to impact local terminals, but low
confidence in extent of reduced vis/cigs. Low confidence in
thunderstorms impacting EAT and LWS terminals. This is the most
impactful alternate scenario, and would require amendments
should any cells move through. /AS

-----------------------

Confidence descriptors:

Low - Less than a 30 percent chance
Moderate - 30 to 70 percent chance
High - Greater than a 70 percent chance

For additional probabilistic information for NWS Spokane airports,

please refer to the Aviation Dashboard on our webpage:
https:/www.weather.gov/otx/avndashboard

&&

.Preliminary Point Temps/PoPs...
Spokane        54  86  55  88  57  88 /   0   0  10   0   0   0
Coeur d'Alene  53  86  55  87  57  87 /   0   0   0   0   0   0
Pullman        48  85  48  86  51  86 /   0  20  20   0   0   0
Lewiston       60  90  60  91  63  91 /   0  30  40   0  20  10
Colville       42  85  45  86  46  86 /   0  10  10   0   0   0
Sandpoint      46  82  49  83  49  83 /  10   0   0   0   0   0
Kellogg        51  83  53  83  55  83 /   0   0  10  10   0   0
Moses Lake     56  89  57  90  58  90 /   0  10  10   0   0   0
Wenatchee      64  87  65  89  66  90 /  10  10  10   0   0   0
Omak           57  88  60  89  60  90 /  10  10  20   0   0   0

&&

.OTX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WA...Air Quality Alert until noon PDT Tuesday for Central Chelan
     County-Okanogan Highlands-Okanogan Valley-Upper Columbia
     Basin-Waterville Plateau-Wenatchee Area-Western Chelan
     County-Western Okanogan County.
ID...Air Quality Alert until noon PDT Tuesday for Lewis and
     Southern Nez Perce Counties-Lewiston Area.

&&

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Aug 14, 2:36 PM PDT, 2 hours 19 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
236 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ041-047-142215-
Central Chelan County WA-Wenatchee Area WA-
236 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Douglas
and south central Chelan Counties through 315 PM PDT...

At 235 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Cashmere, or 9 miles west of Wenatchee, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Wenatchee, Sunnyslope, West Wenatchee, South Wenatchee, East
Wenatchee Bench, and Monitor.

This includes U.S. Highway 97 in Washington between mile markers 169
and 176, and near mile marker 178.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4739 12066 4748 12066 4749 12031 4735 12031
TIME...MOT...LOC 2135Z 273DEG 20KT 4743 12054

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

JCLEV
Special weather statement, Aug 14, 3:03 PM PDT, 1 hour 52 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
303 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ041-044-142245-
Waterville Plateau WA-Wenatchee Area WA-
303 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Douglas
and southeastern Chelan Counties through 345 PM PDT...

At 303 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
West Wenatchee, or near Wenatchee, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, Rock Island, Sunnyslope, East Wenatchee
Bench, West Wenatchee, South Wenatchee, and Monitor.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4741 12047 4749 12046 4752 12009 4737 12007
TIME...MOT...LOC 2203Z 273DEG 20KT 4745 12039

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

JCLEV
Special weather statement, Aug 14, 3:39 PM PDT, 1 hour 16 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
339 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ044-142315-
Waterville Plateau WA-
339 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern Douglas
County through 415 PM PDT...

At 339 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 10
miles east of Orondo, or 17 miles northeast of Wenatchee, moving east
at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Douglas and Alstown.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4753 12008 4761 12008 4765 11983 4752 11985
TIME...MOT...LOC 2239Z 273DEG 16KT 4757 12002

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

JCLEV
Special weather statement, Aug 14, 3:45 PM PDT, 1 hour 10 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
345 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ049-142315-
Western Okanogan County WA-
345 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Okanogan
County through 415 PM PDT...

At 345 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 21
miles east of Stehekin, or 30 miles west of Omak, moving east at 15
mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Twisp and Black Pine Lake Campground.

This includes U.S. Highway 20 in Washington between mile markers 197
and 207.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 4831 12028 4837 12028 4848 12007 4830 11998
TIME...MOT...LOC 2245Z 251DEG 15KT 4835 12019

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

JCLEV
Special weather statement, Aug 14, 4:19 PM PDT, 36 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
419 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ038-142345-
Okanogan Highlands WA-
419 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Ferry County
through 445 PM PDT...

At 417 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Sherman Pass, or 45 miles east of Omak. This storm was nearly
stationary.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph and pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of central Ferry
County.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4852 11864 4859 11854 4849 11833 4839 11853
TIME...MOT...LOC 2317Z 311DEG 4KT 4852 11854

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

SB
Special weather statement, Aug 14, 4:31 PM PDT, 24 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Spokane WA
431 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

WAZ043-049-150000-
Western Okanogan County WA-Okanogan Valley WA-
431 PM PDT Fri Aug 14 2026

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Okanogan
County through 500 PM PDT...

At 429 PM PDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12
miles northwest of Okanogan, or 13 miles west of Omak, moving east at
5 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 30 mph.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects.

Locations impacted include...
Omak, Riverside, and Conconully.

This includes U.S. Highway 97 in Washington between mile markers 292
and 293, and between mile markers 299 and 306.

The torrential rain is likely to remain south of Conconully over the
higher terrain however outflow winds up to 35 mph will be possible
northeast and east of the storm along the Highway 97 corridor.

 PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 4844 11988 4853 11990 4860 11952 4841 11949
TIME...MOT...LOC 2329Z 267DEG 6KT 4848 11979

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...30 MPH

SB

The office that day

Everything else NWS Spokane, WA issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Aug 13, 6:46 PM PDTFlash Flood WarningOTXChelan3 hr
Aug 14, 2:36 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXKittitas39 min
Aug 14, 3:03 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXKittitas42 min
Aug 14, 3:18 PM PDTAreal Flood AdvisoryOTXChelan2 hr
Aug 14, 3:39 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXDouglas36 min
Aug 14, 3:45 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXOkanogan30 min
Aug 14, 4:19 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXFerry26 min
Aug 14, 4:31 PM PDTSpecial Weather StatementOTXOkanogan29 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Washington, 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; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.