Alert archive / Utah / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026
Flash Flood Warning 18, NWS Salt Lake City, UT
NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued this flash flood warning at Jul 16, 2026, 7:19 PM MDT for Washington County, Utah. 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 16, 2026, 7:19 PM MDT (01:19 UTC)
- Expired
- Jul 16, 2026, 10:15 PM MDT
- In force
- 3 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Salt Lake City, UT
- Area
- Storm-based polygon
- Damage threat
- Considerable
- Flood severity
- None
County Washington County, UT
The radar
The Cedar City radar (KICX), 63 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 01:19 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 16, 8:00 PM MDT | FLASH FLOOD | 3 Sse Pine Vly, UT | The USGS stream gauge on the Santa Clara river recorded a flood wave with flows that increased from approximately 4 cfs to 240 cfs in about 1 hour. Time is coincident with observed peak flow. |
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 41 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
Flgstf/Belemont, AZ (KFGZ), launched 00:00Z, 1.3 hours before the alert went out and 286 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.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 151 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- -49 J/kg
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1249 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 11 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 19 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 72 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
584
WGUS55 KSLC 170119
FFWSLC
UTC053-170415-
/O.NEW.KSLC.FF.W.0018.260717T0119Z-260717T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
719 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
The National Weather Service in Salt Lake City has issued a
* Flash Flood Warning for...
The Forsyth Burn Scar in...
Central Washington County in southwestern Utah...
* Until 1015 PM MDT.
* At 719 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
heavy rain over the Forsyth Burn Scar. The focus of this rainfall
has been above the Pine Valley Recreation Area and Pine Valley
Reservoir on the Left Fork of the Santa Clara River. Between 0.5
and 1.25 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is ongoing or
expected to begin shortly.
Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow
moving through the Santa Clara Drainage downstream to below Baker
Reservoir. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and
other loose materials.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms
producing flash flooding in and around the Forsyth
Burn Scar.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around
the Forsyth Burn Scar from the Pine Valley Reservoir
downstream to just below Baker Reservoir.
* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
The Santa Clara river from Pine Valley Reservoir downstream to
Baker Reservoir
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become
unstable and unsafe.
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 3740 11353 3741 11359 3735 11365 3736 11366
3738 11365 3740 11363 3742 11360 3742 11356
3740 11352 3739 11349 3740 11348 3741 11343
3739 11341 3735 11343 3733 11347 3737 11348
3738 11348
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
GM2 follow-up statements
950
WGUS75 KSLC 170255
FFSSLC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
855 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
UTC053-170415-
/O.CON.KSLC.FF.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260717T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Washington UT-
855 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE FORSYTH BURN SCAR REMAINS IN EFFECT
UNTIL 1015 PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTY...
At 855 PM MDT, Doppler radar indicated earlier thunderstorms
produced heavy rain over the Forsyth Burn Scar. The focus of this
rainfall was primarily above the Pine Valley Recreation Area and
Pine Valley Reservoir on the Left Fork of the Santa Clara River.
Between 1.00 and 2.00 inches of rain have fallen. Flash flooding is
ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
Excessive rainfall over the burn scar will result in debris flow
moving through the Santa Clara Drainage downstream to below Baker
Reservoir. The debris flow can consist of rock, mud, vegetation and
other loose materials.
HAZARD...Life threatening flash flooding. Thunderstorms producing
flash flooding in and around the Forsyth Burn Scar.
SOURCE...Radar.
IMPACT...Life threatening flash flooding of areas in and around
the Forsyth Burn Scar from the Pine Valley Reservoir
downstream to just below Baker Reservoir.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
The Santa Clara river from Pine Valley Reservoir downstream to
Baker Reservoir
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 Forsyth 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.
Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become
unstable and unsafe.
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 3740 11353 3741 11359 3735 11365 3736 11366
3738 11365 3740 11363 3742 11360 3742 11356
3740 11352 3739 11349 3740 11348 3741 11343
3739 11341 3735 11343 3733 11347 3737 11348
3738 11348
FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED
FLASH FLOOD DAMAGE THREAT...CONSIDERABLE
$$
JAC266
WGUS75 KSLC 170411
FFSSLC
Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
1011 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
UTC053-170421-
/O.EXP.KSLC.FF.W.0018.000000T0000Z-260717T0415Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Washington UT-
1011 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR THE FORSYTH BURN SCAR WILL EXPIRE AT 1015
PM MDT THIS EVENING FOR CENTRAL WASHINGTON COUNTY...
The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.
A Flood Watch remains in effect until 1200 AM MDT for portions of
central, southern, and southwest Utah.
&&
LAT...LON 3740 11353 3741 11359 3735 11365 3736 11366
3738 11365 3740 11363 3742 11360 3742 11356
3740 11352 3739 11349 3740 11348 3741 11343
3739 11341 3735 11343 3733 11347 3737 11348
3738 11348
$$
JACWhat 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 Salt Lake City, UT wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at Jul 16, 6:10 PM MDT, 1 hour 9 minutes earlier.
Area forecast discussion, Jul 16, 6:10 PM MDT, 1 hour 9 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
610 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
.KEY MESSAGES, Issued 1218 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026...
- A monsoon surge will continue to bring the threat of
thunderstorms with heavy rainfall, with the highest threat
across southern Utah through the weekend and into at least early
next week.
- A Flood Watch for flash flooding is in effect for southern Utah
through this evening.
- A new Flood Watch for flash flooding was issued for Friday
afternoon and evening for southwest and south central Utah.
Additional Flood Watches may be needed for Saturday in this
area.
&&
.DISCUSSION, Issued 1218 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026...
As an active monsoon surge continues across the
region for the entire forecast period, the weather each day across
the southern half of Utah will be focused on afternoon and evening
convection. Precipitable water values have already exceeded the
98th percentile across many locations of southern Utah and
extended ensemble modeling suggests PWs will remain above 90th
percentile through at least next Thursday.
While there is no obvious source of lift today in regards to a
shortwave trough, convection will continue to develop across the
higher terrain through early afternoon. With most parameters at or
more preferential for cold pool/shear balance, expect slow moving
convection with very heavy rainfall to gradually shift into
adjacent valleys with higher available instability. A Flood Watch
remains in effect across much of southern Utah this afternoon and
evening.
It'll feel a bit like rinse and repeat for southwest and south
central Utah Friday afternoon and evening. Little change in the
environmental conditions will yield another round of higher
probabilities of flash flooding for these areas. A Flood Watch for
flash flooding was issued for southwest and south central Utah
with this package.
Not seeing much change in relation to the monsoon into the
weekend...so future shifts will continue to monitor for expansion
of the flood watches into the weekend. This is not the time for
outdoor recreationists to plan hikes into/near slot canyons,
normally dry washes, slick rock areas. Additionally, those near
recent burn scars such as Cottonwood, Monroe Canyon, France
Canyon, and Forsyth should continue to monitor for potential
warnings and have a plan if a warning is issued.
&&
.AVIATION...KSLC...Vicinity showers and thunderstorms may produce
variable winds at the terminal between 01-03z, with a better chance
of becoming southerly around 02z with periods of gustiness. Typical
lighter southeast winds should settle in after 07z and persist
through 19-20z. Expecting another round of vicinity storms tomorrow,
with a better chance of impacts at the terminal by late afternoon.
REST OF UTAH AND SOUTHWEST WYOMING...Showers and thunderstorms are
expected to diminish at the northern terminals before midnight,
though periods of showers may persist in the higher terrain. A
greater chance of late evening storms exists at the southern
terminals, accompanied by erratic and gusty winds through the early
morning hours.
&&
.FIRE WEATHER, Issued 1218 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026...
An ongoing monsoon surge will continue to bring
the threat of heavy rainfall to much of southern and portions of
eastern Utah through at least the weekend, and potentially into
early next week. For areas more removed from this surge across
northern and west central Utah, coverage of any thunderstorms will
be less across valley locations. Humidities in the 20-30% range
across the northern and western valleys will further increase this
weekend to around 30-40%.
&&
.SLC WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
UT...Flood Watch until midnight MDT tonight for UTZ121>131.
Flood Watch from Friday afternoon through Friday evening for
UTZ122>128.
WY...None.
&&
PUBLIC...
AVIATION...Verzella
FIRE WEATHER...
For more information from NOAA's National Weather Service visit...
http://weather.gov/saltlakecityIn the hours before
Local storm report, Jul 16, 3:19 PM MDT, 4 hours before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
319 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0236 PM Hail 10 NW Alton 37.52N 112.65W
07/16/2026 E0.50 Inch Kane UT Public
Report from mPING: Half-inch (0.50 in.).
&&Special weather statement, Jul 16, 3:21 PM MDT, 3 hours 58 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT 321 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026 UTZ125-162200- Southern Mountains UT- 321 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central Garfield County through 400 PM MDT ... At 321 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 12 miles east of Henrieville, or 14 miles southwest of Escalante, moving south at 5 mph. HAZARD...Half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of south central Garfield County. This includes Utah Route 12 between mile markers 39 and 45. 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 3768 11188 3770 11165 3754 11166 3754 11188 TIME...MOT...LOC 2121Z 014DEG 4KT 3761 11177 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN MAX WIND GUST...<40 MPH JAC
Special weather statement, Jul 16, 3:28 PM MDT, 3 hours 51 minutes before
Special Weather Statement National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT 328 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026 UTZ113-121-162215- San Rafael Swell UT-Wasatch Plateau/Book Cliffs UT- 328 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026 ...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern Emery County through 415 PM MDT ... At 327 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15 miles southeast of Sunnyside, or 25 miles north of Green River. This storm was nearly stationary. HAZARD...Half inch hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible. Locations impacted include... Woodside. This includes US Route 6 between mile markers 273 and 279. 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 3946 11033 3945 11008 3924 11017 3926 11040 TIME...MOT...LOC 2127Z 010DEG 4KT 3935 11025 MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN MAX WIND GUST...<40 MPH JAC
Special weather statement, Jul 16, 4:59 PM MDT, 2 hours 20 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
459 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
UTZ123-125-162330-
Southern Mountains UT-Lower Washington County UT-
459 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of west central
Washington County through 530 PM MDT
...
At 458 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Gunlock State Park, or 18 miles southeast of Beaver Dam. This storm
was nearly stationary.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and half inch hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Gunlock State Park, Gunlock, and Veyo.
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 3724 11378 3727 11391 3741 11388 3736 11369
TIME...MOT...LOC 2258Z 193DEG 4KT 3733 11380
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JACLocal storm report, Jul 16, 5:54 PM MDT, 1 hour 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
554 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON...
..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
..REMARKS..
0417 PM Flash Flood 5 SSE Marysvale 38.37N 112.23W
07/16/2026 Piute UT Emergency Mngr
Piute County EM reported flash flooding with
a muddy ashy flow out of Ten Mile Canyon at
US-89 near mile post 174, originating from
the Cottonwood burn scar.
0537 PM Flash Flood 5 N Marysvale 38.51N 112.26W
07/16/2026 Piute UT Law Enforcement
Local law enforcement and UDOT cameras
indicate a debris flow flash flood reaching
US-89 near mile marker 184 originating from
the Silver King burn scar at the outlet of
Deer Creek.
0232 PM Flash Flood 7 W Hiawatha 39.51N 111.16W
07/16/2026 Emery UT Emergency Mngr
Debris flow flash flood across SR-31 with
significant logs, closing the road.
0210 PM Flash Flood 7 E Beaver 38.26N 112.52W
07/16/2026 Beaver UT Emergency Mngr
State DEM camera showed debris flow flash
flood wave moving down Beaver River within
Cottonwood burn scar.
0230 PM Flash Flood 4 E Beaver 38.28N 112.56W
07/16/2026 Beaver UT Emergency Mngr
State DEM webcam showed debris flow flash
flood wave continuing farther downstream in
the Beaver River within the Cottonwood burn
scar.
&&
DECSpecial weather statement, Jul 16, 7:16 PM MDT, 3 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Salt Lake City UT
716 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
UTZ107-110-170145-
Wasatch Mountains I-80 North UT-Cache Valley/Utah Portion UT-
716 PM MDT Thu Jul 16 2026
...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central Cache
County through 745 PM MDT
...
At 716 PM MDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 8
miles southeast of Hyrum, or 12 miles east of Brigham City, moving
northwest at 10 mph.
HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 50 mph and pea size hail.
SOURCE...Radar indicated.
IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
possible.
Locations impacted include...
Paradise and Avon.
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 4154 11166 4146 11175 4151 11188 4162 11178
TIME...MOT...LOC 0116Z 125DEG 7KT 4153 11177
MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...50 MPH
JACThe office that day
Everything else NWS Salt Lake City, UT issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 16, 7:16 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | SLC | Cache | 29 min |
| Jul 16, 7:44 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | SLC | Cache | 31 min |
| Jul 16, 8:17 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Washington | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 10:28 AM MDT | Flood Watch | SLC | Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, Sevier and 2 more | 35 hr |
| Jul 17, 12:11 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Piute | 5 hr |
| Jul 17, 2:42 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Piute | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 3:38 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Piute | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 4:20 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Iron, Washington | 3 hr |
| Jul 17, 4:26 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | SLC | Washington | 34 min |
| Jul 17, 5:31 PM MDT | Special Weather Statement | SLC | Salt Lake | 44 min |
| Jul 17, 5:58 PM MDT | Flash Flood Warning | SLC | Washington | 3 hr |
Nearby
Flash Flood Warnings in Utah, 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.